In order for the countries of the Region of the Americas to move towards an equitable health system with access to adequate, timely, quality and comprehensive health services, it is necessary to have human resources with adequate knowledge and skills, and in sufficient numbers where they are required. This special issue presents relevant evidence for action and change in the field of human resources for health to support the broader goal of achieving universal health.
The Pan American Journal of Public Health acknowledges the support of the Editorial Committee to this special issue: Fernando Aith, Faculty of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Mydalis Castilla Martínez, Cuban Medical Services, La Habana, Cuba; Malhi Cho, Regional Advisor on Human Resources for Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, United States of America; Gilles Dussault, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, University of Nova, Lisboa, Portugal; Matthew Harris, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, England; Fernando Menezes, Unit Chief, Human Resources for Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, United States of America; Gail Tomblin Murphy, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Canada; Paul Tomlin, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica; José Valderas, Faculty of Health Services and Research Policy, Exeter University, Exeter, England. The Journal thanks Monica Padilla, Coordenadora da Unidade Técnica de Capacidades Humanas para a Saúde, Pan American Health Organization, Brasilia, Brazil, for the programatic and financial support.