The Best Buys for Disease Elimination is a practical, evidence-based guide to the most effective actions for countries to implement in order to eliminate communicable diseases. The guide highlights the efficient use of resources and prioritizing populations in vulnerable situations. “The Region ... of the Americas is advancing steadily towards the elimination of communicable diseases,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director. “To achieve this, it is necessary to increase and sustain high vaccination coverage, engage communities to expand access to diagnosis and treatment, strengthen surveillance, and bring integrated services to marginalized communities, incarcerated populations, and those living in informal settlements,” he added. For each disease and condition included in the Elimination Initiative, the Best Buys are presented as one-page documents with clear, accessible information. Each Best Buy summarizes expected impact goals, disease elimination targets, key operational indicators, and priority interventions that have proven to be cost-effective in different contexts. more

This plan, approved by the Organization’s 62nd Directing Council, was shaped by extensive consultations with countries and stakeholders, and commits to transformative health outcomes over the next six years, tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, health security, fragmented healt ... h systems and services, and the elimination of communicable diseases, amongst others. “The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that the Region of the Americas is stronger when we work together,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director. “This Strategic Plan harnesses our collective strength to build resilient health systems, reduce disease burden, and improve health and well-being for all across the Americas.” The plan builds on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed gaps in health systems while highlighting the power of joint action. It targets measurable impacts in countries, such as reducing maternal mortality, reversing rising suicide rates, and eliminating diseases like leprosy and Chagas. more

The document “Guidelines for the Investigation and Control of Disease Outbreaks” provides practical guidance for public health professionals on how to detect, investigate, and manage outbreaks of communicable diseases. It describes the key steps of outbreak investigation, including confirming th ... e outbreak, establishing a case definition, collecting epidemiological and laboratory data, identifying the source and mode of transmission, and implementing control measures. The guidelines also explain how to organize outbreak response teams, communicate findings, and document results in outbreak reports. Overall, the document aims to support systematic and effective outbreak investigations in order to control disease spread and protect public health. more

The document is a World Health Organization publication about communicable disease surveillance and response systems. It explains that communicable disease surveillance is a core public health function used to collect, analyse and interpret health data so that outbreaks and other health threats can ... be detected early, monitored and responded to appropriately. The guide describes how surveillance systems help provide early warning of potential threats, support programme monitoring, enable outbreak detection and facilitate timely public health action to prevent disease spread. It also discusses the design and evaluation of surveillance systems and how the information they generate is used for decision-making in public health practice. more

The document “Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response Systems: A Guide to Planning” is a World Health Organization (WHO) guide designed to help countries develop and strengthen national surveillance and response systems for communicable diseases . It explains why surveillance is essential ... for early detection of outbreaks, informed decision-making, and effective public health action, especially in the context of the revised International Health Regulations (2005). The guide provides a structured approach to strategic and operational planning. It outlines how countries should assess their existing systems, define a vision and goals, identify expected key result areas (EKRAs), prioritize activities, set realistic targets, allocate resources, and monitor progress. It also includes practical tools such as templates, worksheets, and examples to support ministries of health in organizing planning workshops and developing multi-year strategic plans and annual operational plans. Overall, the document serves as a practical framework to improve preparedness, early warning, and response to public health emergencies. more