Health Promotion
We work to enhance people’s wellbeing and reduce their health risks associated with tobacco use, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity, thereby contributing to better population health. We develop and implement cross-cutting normative, fiscal and legal measures and capacity development tools. We advance global health in health literacy, community engagement strategies and good governance for health, and foster public health action in the settings of every-day life.
About us

Outcomes

The Helsinki Statement - Building on our heritage, looking to our future

The participants to the 8th Global Conference on Health Promotion endorsed the Helsinki Statement on Health in All Policies In which they prioritize health and equity as a core responsibility of governments to its peoples, affirm the compelling and urgent need for effective policy coherence for health and well-being and recognize that this will require political will, courage and strategic foresight. The participants of the Conference call on governments to fulfill their obligations to their people’s health and wellbeing by taking a number of actions. They also call on WHO to support Member States put HiAP into practices, strengthen its own capacity in HiAP and work with the United Nations Family and other organizations to enable the implementation of HiAP.

Health in All Policies: Framework for Country Action

This framework provides countries with a practical means of enhancing a coherent approach to Health in All Policies (HiAP), particularly at a national level. Some countries have already adopted a HiAP approach, even though this may not be explicit, whereas in other countries the concept is new and has yet to be operationalized. This framework has also been developed so that it can be adapted for supranational level decision-making and for governments structures at the national level, as well as the local level as decentralization of government functions has empowered local authorities in many areas.
HiAP is an approach on health-related rights and obligations. It improves accountability of policymakers for health impacts at all levels of policy-making. It includes an emphasis on the consequences of public policies on health systems, determinants of health, and well-being. It also contributes to sustainable development.

PAHO Plan of Action on Health in All Policies 2014-2019

WHO Regional Office for the Americas adopted during its 66th Session of the Regional Committee the Regional Plan of Action for Health in all Policies 2014-2019.
This action plan was developed taking into account the Helsinki Statement on Health in All Policies as well as the WHO Health in All Policies (HiAP) Framework for Country Action.
The goal of this Plan of Action is to provide Member States in the Americas with technical guidance in defining their own path towards HiAP, taking into account the social, economic, political, legal, historical, and cultural challenges as well as current and future health challenges and priorities. The goal is in accordance with the global Health in All Policies Framework for Country Action, to improve health and well-being and reduce health inequities.