As a founding member since 1967, APHA continues to actively contribute and participate as one of the key members of the World Federation of Public Health Associations. The WFPHA is recognized as an NGO in official relations status with the World Health Organization, which allows APHA access to the World Health Assembly as well as other UN agencies including UNICEF and the Economic and Social Council of the UN. Learn more about the WFPHA at www.wfpha.org.
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Alliance of Public Health Associations of the Americas
In April 2015, APHA, along with the World Federation of Public Health Associations and other national public health associations in the Americas region met in Havana, Cuba for the inaugural meeting of the Alliance of Public Health Associations of the Americas. Led by the president of the Cuban Society of Public Health, Dr. Alcides Ochoa Alonso, and Vice-President Dr. Diego Cobelo, the meeting was held in conjunction with the 2nd Cuba Salud International Convention. The convening of this historic meeting acknowledged the leadership of SOCUSAP and the strong support of representatives from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Pan American Health Organization. Under the motto, “Joining forces for the health of our people” (Uniendo esfuerzos por la salud de nuestros pueblos), the Alliance seeks to contribute to the regional agenda on public health and define the role of public health associations in improving, protecting and promoting health for all.
As a regional network, the key objectives of the Alliance are to:
- Promote the development and strengthening of public health associations in the region.
- Serve as a leader and convener to guide national associations to collaborate more effectively with each other to improve health and well-being.
- Advance public health education, research, policy and practice.
Representatives in attendance acknowledged many opportunities exist for national associations to advance public health education, research, policy and practice. The Alliance can be a strategic partner and resource to PAHO especially towards achieving universal health coverage in the Americas over the next 15 years. Public health is recognized as fundamental to reaching this goal.
Since Havana, the Alliance has continued to develop its leadership and governance structures, raise awareness and engage others at the meetings of their public health association members including Brazilian Association for Collective Health, Panamanian Society of Public Health, Puerto Rico Public Health Association and APHA.