The Pan American Health Organization: New challenges, new roles, new responsibilities

PAHO is the oldest international public health agency. It was created in 1902 as a mandate from a regional group of countries. Besides currently serving as WHO′s Regional Office for the Americas it is the specialized health agency for the Organization of American States (OAS); thus it must render accountability at two levels. PAHO is intimately linked to the development of regional health in the Americas and, therefore, to societal development in the countries from which it is composed. A new Director has been elected this year, Dr. Carissa Etienne, who will guide the institution for at least the next five years.