Route of the Americas
When PAHO’s Directing Council approved the first Regional Plan of Action in the world for Health in All Policies in September 2014, it took the lead in implementing an innovative and ambitious approach to the formulation of public policies. HiAP was first defined in the Adelaide Declaration of 2010 and then in the global framework for action by the countries in the Helsinki declaration. The prompt action of the Organization reveals the promise of this new approach to health promotion and the broad support of its goals and objectives.
At the same time, the HIAP incorporates many elements of health promotion and the formulation of health policies that have been developed and debated for decades. It is based on the widespread view of health and well-being defined by Alma Ata (1978) and addressing the public health policies established in the Ottawa Charter (1986). It also recognizes the important contributions of the movement in addressing the social determinants of health and health equities identified by the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (2008).
In the context of the 8th Global Conference on Health Promotion, Health in All Policies is defined as "an approach to public policies across sectors that systematically takes into account the health implications of decisions, seeks synergies, and avoids harmful health impacts, in order to improve population health and health equity”. In the framework for country action, PAHO’s Action Plan on HiAP was based on six strategic areas identified in the Declaration of Helsinki as well as on elements from the Rio Political Declaration on Social Determinants of Health and the Rio + 20 Conference on Sustainable Development, which required dynamic approaches to policymakingacross sectors to address growing inequities, particularly in the area of health.
Due to its importance, a strategy to move the Plan of Action on HIAP into effective results was put into action. Given its innovative nature, expert guidance was sought and experiences have been studied both in the Region of the Americas and elsewhere. With these objectives in mind, the Special Program on Sustainable Development and Health Equity organized an Expert Consultation on HiAP in Washington, DC, from March 31 to April 1, 2015. This meeting provided an opportunity to gather world leaders in the field as well as experts from academia and politics of the Americas and other countries with relevant experience in HiAP, such as Finland and Australia. The purpose of this meeting was to translate the Plan of Action on HIAP into a roadmap, identifying concrete actions that would be crucial for the Region to implement HiAP.
2009
Faces, Voices and Places in the Bolivian Chaco
This experience is an example of local development and health in the communities of the Guarani in the Bolivian Chacoregion. The program approaches reality with a focus on the social determinants of health . It focuses on the coordination of national, subnational and local levels, as a strategy to improve the health of vulnerable people. The results are positive as the program manages to aid this specific population with its particular challenges and opportunities.
2010
Strategy to Combat Overweight and Obesity
In Mexico, the numbers of overweight and obese people are increasing every year, as well as the diseases associated to these conditions . To meet this challenge, a National Agreement for Healthy Nutrition was proposed. Different sectors promote food regulation, changing the family diet and creating awareness of eating habits, and increasing physical activity. Each sector has a specific agenda that is coordinated with the rest.
2007
Life Points
In Bolivia , a Life Point is a mobile tent located in a public place . Anyone can come and learn to prevent the risks of contracting non communicable diseases . The program began in La Paz and has spread to all nine departments of Bolivia . The initiative was started by a civic organization that has achieved to mobilize certain government sectors. The long queues in front of the tents speak of the warm reception that citizens have given to the project.
2005
National Policy for Tobacco Control
Since 2003, by presidential decree, Brazil created the National Commission for Implementation of the Convention for Tobacco Control (CONICQ). The Commission comprises 18 areas of government acting together; for example: Finance develops tax policy, and combats the illegal tobacco market; Justice elaborates materials on illicit drugs; Agrarian Development, carries out a national program to promote crop area diversification, among other actions. Different sectors are working together for Health in All Policies (HiAP).
2003
Pernambuco: A Network of Healthy Municipalities
In Pernambuco , Brazil, they have woven a strong network that involves leaders from the government, university and the community . Everyone collaborates by providing: courses, dissemination, volunteering, and specific plans to make municipalities a healthy experience. Everyone works as a network by meeting, coordinating and acting together. The goal is to develop health equity, social justice, cooperation and the preception of happiness.
2013
Healthy Municipalities, Cities, and Communities strategy
In 2013 the Chilean Ministry of Health studied the experiences developed since 1998 with the Communal Plans for Health Promotion. The careful review of the evidence gave rise to the Healthy Municipalities, Cities, and Communities strategy. New focus was put on the municipalities that are leading on the territorial participatory assessments, with strategic plans for the next three years and that are strengthening the ability of its people to understand and act on their context. This allows finding solutions to territorial problems using local resources and capabilities, strengthening intersectorial action and at the national level. The local - community - national dialogue is one of the strengths of the strategy, because the policies, actions, and decisions are not going in different directions, but are in constant dialogue with each other.