High quality research—and the evidence that it yields—is essential for improving global health and health equity, as well as economic development. In 2009, Member States of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) approved a regional policy on research for health in the Americas, the first such World Health Organization (WHO) regional policy. It was developed to harmonize with and complement WHO’s Strategy on Research for Health.
This thematic issue explores how this research can drive effective and efficient health systems across the Americas, and offers insights and perspectives on developments and challenges following the implementation of these policies.
This series of articles was proposed by PAHO/WHO and commissioned by The BMJ. The Journal thanks the BMJ for this joint effort. Manuscripts were originally published in English in the BMJ and were translated into Spanish and Portuguese by PAHO.