NUTRITION

Antimicrobial resistance. On September 21, the Latin American countries participating in the 59th Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) approved a policy to apply the “One Health” approach to address health threats linked to the interrelationship between people, animals and the environment. It includes, among others, lines of action to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and ensure food safety. PAHO management will be responsible for guiding countries in the implementation of the approved policy, with follow-up and two development reports, one in 2026 and the other in 2030.

The approach promotes the coordination and collaboration of human, animal, plant and environmental health programs in order to improve prevention and preparedness for future health threats. It presents several lines of action, including an analysis of the interactions between actors in the different fields at the national level. It also promotes the use of multidisciplinary and intersectoral mechanisms and existing frameworks such as the International Health Regulations (IHR), INFOSAN and Codex Alimentarius, among others.

Finally, it includes the promotion of multi-sectoral technical activities; the emergence of digital health solutions and emerging technologies; and the promotion of research and capacity building across sectors and disciplines to manage health threats at the human-animal-environment interface.

Next Steps

The Pan American Sanitary Bureau will report to the PAHO Governing Bodies on the implementation of this policy. A monitoring and evaluation framework will be developed. This framework will also build on existing initiatives and systems to collect data and report on issues related to the implementation of the “One Health” report. PAHO management will report in 2026 and 2031 to the Governing Bodies on progress made and challenges encountered in the implementation of this policy.