PAHO Calls for Regional Health Security – 2025 APHA Meeting
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PAHO calls for Strengthened Regional Health Cooperation at APHA Annual Meeting
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Washington,D.C. – November 2, 2025 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) initiated its engagement at the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting today, urging increased collaboration and a central role for public health in national agendas.
Prioritizing Public Health as a National Imperative
Speaking to thousands of public health professionals at the APHA meeting, themed “making the Public’s Health a National Priority,” PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa underscored that “health security lies in our ability to learn,adapt,and advance together.” He stressed that prioritizing public health across the region is fundamental to preventing disease, building resilient health systems, and ensuring a enduring health workforce.
Dr. Barbosa highlighted the interconnectedness of health and broader societal well-being, stating, “Health is the foundation of security, economic stability, and social resilience.” He cited the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as a potent example, noting that “in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, global GDP shrank by 3.5%” [[[[World Bank] - a clear exhibition of the inseparable link between health, security, and prosperity.
A Century of Pan-American Health Collaboration
PAHO’s roots trace back to 1902, when it was established as the International Sanitary Bureau in Washington, D.C. [[[[Pan American Health Organization] The organization was founded on the principle that effective public health protection requires international cooperation, as no nation can safeguard the health of its citizens in isolation.
Today, PAHO comprises 35 Member States, three Participating States, and four Associate states, serving as a crucial bridge for health collaboration throughout the Americas. The organization works to improve health and well-being for all people in the region through evidence-based policies, technical cooperation, and advocacy.
PAHO Member States (as of November 2, 2025)
| Region | Number of Member States |
|---|---|
| North America | 3 (Canada, Mexico, United States) |
| Central America | 7 (belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama) |
| Caribbean | 13 (antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago) |
| South America | 12 (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela) |
| Total | 35 |