In the Region of the Americas, mental, neurological, and substance use disor­ders are among the principal contributors to morbidity, disability, injuries, and premature mortality, and they increase the risk of other health problems. Research provides an indispensable basis for appropriate policy making, plan­ning, and evaluation in the field of mental health. The acquisition of new knowled­ge through research can help to ensure that every policy or decision is based on hard data and best practices.

Forty years ago, the World Health Organization member countries agreed on a set of principles at Alma-Ata to protect and promote health of all people by articulating primary health care as the guiding principle of a comprehensive health system. Since the declaration of Alma-Ata in 1978, countries of the Americas have been witnessing tremendous progress, economic growth, and improvements to their health systems.

The global health burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is large and growing, as this group of diseases already accounts for 70% of total deaths. Global evidence indicates that the high health burden of NCDs translates into significant economic and social costs that threaten to diminish the quality of life of millions of individuals, impoverish families, jeopardize universal health coverage, and increase health disparities within and between countries. Evidence consistently shows that the NCD epidemic cannot be tackled through interventions and policies in the health sector alone.