The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed gaps and weaknesses in health care systems worldwide, but it has also highlighted countries’ capacity to respond and provided valuable lessons for the future. The pandemic has highlighted the need for countries to work together on scientific evidence production and vaccine development and elucidated the commonality of pandemic-related challenges, such as personal protective equipment unavailability and supply chain disruptions. International cooperation has been key to tackling COVID-19 and continues to be a fundamental pillar of emergency preparedness and response in circumstances when synergy among countries is more important than individual efforts.
In a context of cooperation, the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have collaborated for more than 100 years to promote health and address emerging public health threats. This year, APHA celebrates its 150th anniversary, and PAHO its 120th. This joint special issue produced by AJPH and the Pan American Journal of Public Health (PAJPH) commemorates the achievements of our partnership.
All articles from this supplement are available free of charge and in full text in English in the American Journal of Public Health and in Spanish in the Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública.