The Pan American Health Organization's first 100 years: reflections of the Director

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has responded to changing political times and different health challenges and has played a significant role in some of the recent achievements in health in the region of the Americas. Some of the more remarkable health gains of the past 8 years owe their success to the broad principles of equity and Pan-Americanism that guide PAHO's work. The production and use of scientific-technical information is the fundamental underpinning of the technical cooperation that has facilitated the health work of countries. The future is bright for PAHO's next century.