PAHEF enjoys a unique relationship with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), and shares the vision of health for all. In pursuit of this vision we are guided by the current and projected future health needs in the region, the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and priority programmatic initiatives of the member countries of PAHO/WHO.

PAHEF partners with PAHO in three ways—two joint programs and support of health initiatives

PALTEX

For more than 40 years, PAHEF has administered PALTEX (The Expanded Textbook and Instructional Materials Program), a joint technical cooperation program with PAHO. This program offers millions of affordable books and instruments to students and health professionals at more than 509 institutions in Latin American and Caribbean countries. The textbooks include books in English translated into Spanish and self-published books.

Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health

The Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health program is a partnership between PAHO and PAHEF. Together we recognize excellence in inter-American health, community service, health literature, veterinary public health, bioethics, and universal health care.

These prestigious awards honor dedicated professionals who led the way in advancing health conditions in the Americas during the last century, and stimulate the growth of the next generation of leaders working to improve health in the Americas. For each award, a jury of distinguished public health professionals reviews nominations and recommends a candidate to the PAHEF board of directors for final selection.

Grants

PAHEF grants support health activities focusing on operations research, policy development and capacity building, development of models with high potential for replication, on a clear end point with measurable impact, a high probability of success, and on of work that fall within PAHEF's priorities. PAHO benefits from the grants program through:

PAHEF management of grants from outside sources to support various health projects of PAHO and other organizations

PAHEF support of initiatives in-line with PAHO's strategic objectives