The Right to Health (1958 - 1975)
 
Chronology of eventss
 
"We have given priority throughout our work in the Americas to assuring coverage for all of those who are now without access to minimum health services. We do not accept any discrimination or any compassion in health, we regard it as a right."
Dr. Abraham Horwitz of Chile
1st Latin American Director, 1958
Pan Americanism in health developed from the late 1950’s to the mid 1970’s against an international backdrop of sweeping political, technological, and social change. The region experienced a general economic boom through the 1960’s but by the mid1970’s worldwide inflation triggered economic changes that brought a halt to economic growth and widened the breach between rich and poor nations. Mounting evidence of the relationship between health and wealth and, conversely between sickness and poverty were recognized. The great challenge to public health in the region lies in the social environment of most developing countries.

 

Health Status of the Americas:

 

Focus areas in this time period included:

 

 

 
 
Chronology of Events
1958 XV Pan American Sanitary Conference  

- elected Dr.Abraham Horwitz of Chile 1st Latin American Director

1960 Act of Bogata  

Member countries of OAS fixed the concepts of health policies and programs, set up a Special Fund for Social Development, and agreed to cooperate in promoting accelerated economic and social development and in improving people’s living conditions.

  Charter of Punta del Este - set two general objectives  
  1. to increase life expectancy
  2. to enhance the capacity to learn and produce by improving individual and collective health
1966 Started quarterly journal for health professionals in the Americas –  

Educacion medica y salud

1967 Regional Library of Medicine and Health Sciences established in Sao Paulo
1967 Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute established in Kingston
1970 Latin American Center for Perinatology and Human Development established in Montevideo
1972 Latin American Center for Educational Technology established in Rio de Janeiro
1973 Latin American Center for Educational Technology established in Mexico City
1973 Smallpox declared eradicated from the hemisphere by the XII PAHO Directing Council
1974 XIX Pan American Sanitary Conference   

Dr. Hector R. Acuna of Mexico elected as Director