The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency with more than 90 years of experience in working to improve health and living standards of the countries of the Americas. It serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization, and enjoys international recognition as part of the United Nations system.
Since 1995 PAHO has identified cervical cancer as one of its priority areas of disease prevention and control in the Americas. PAHO's emphasis has been on improving the quality of cytology services in several countries, encouraging the participation of women in cervical cancer screening programs, and developing and implementing guidelines for cervical cancer management.
Within the Alliance, PAHO's extensive network of government and other contacts in the region helps ensure that Alliance projects proceed in concert with local needs and expectations. PAHO also plays a key role in advocating for effective cervical cancer prevention approaches throughout the region. They have sponsored regional meetings on cervical cancer and are working in Peru, El Salvador, and other Latin American countries to evaluate the safety and cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer screening and treatment approaches.
For more information on PAHO's work, see the PAHO website (www.paho.org) or contact Sylvia Robles, M.D., MSc at [email protected]. The World Health Organization website address is www.who.int.