Washington, DC, January 7, 2026 (PAHO) – The Pan American Journal of Public Health, the scientific publication of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), recently published a special issue dedicated to strengthening primary health care to address noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Americas.
Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death in the Region of the Americas, accounting for more than 2.2 million deaths annually, and pose a critical challenge to health systems, economic development, and social equity. The absolute number of cases has continued to rise, while the decline in mortality has slowed since the mid-2010s, jeopardizing progress toward the goal of reducing premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases by 30% by 2030.
Objective: To describe blood pressure trajectories and hypertension control among patients enrolled in the HEARTS program in south-west Trinidad.
Objectives: To compare the performance of paper-based record-keeping versus an offline digital app when used by vaccination brigades in Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon in 2025, considering four dimensions: operational efficiency, data quality, usability, and acceptance. Secondarily, to identify distinct user profiles.
In line with national trends, and given the high prevalence of hypertension and gaps in the registration of noncommunicable diseases in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, the HEARTS strategy was implemented to strengthen hypertension management and cardiovascular disease prevention in primary care settings. During the 2024–2025 period, 16 public health centers in the Southern region were selected. A situational assessment was conducted through analysis of local data and use of a structured intervention registry to identify resources, training, and care processes.
Background. Childhood cancer survival exceeds 80% in high-income countries but remains below 50% across much of Latin America. In Ecuador, limited access to diagnosis and essential medicines, and fragmented governance have hindered progress. In 2025, Ecuador became the first country in the Region of the Americas to implement the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St.
Objective. To assess mortality and disability due to injuries in the Americas, with a focus on subregional and gender disparities, and changes over time.
Objective. To describe the epidemiological and health care situation of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Latin America; identify strengths and gaps in early detection, referral, and access to and coverage of renal replacement therapies (RRTs); contextualize these findings in light of the recent WHO Resolution WHA78.6 on kidney health and propose recommendations.
Objective: To estimate the economic impact of standard pharmacological treatment for hypertension on a typical household in Argentina using a new indicator relating treatment costs to household income.
