Human Resources for Health
The technical cooperation work of Human Resources for Health Unit (HSS/HR) is based on the principles underpinning all people's right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health, and on the principles of equity and solidarity. Human resources for health play a pivotal role in progressively overcoming geographical, economic, sociocultural, organizational, ethnic, and gender barriers so that all communities may have equitable access, without discrimination, to comprehensive health services that are appropriate, timely, and of good quality. The aim of HSS/HR work is to guide the design of policies on human resources for health, taking into account that the availability, accessibility, relevance, and competencies of health workers are key to achieving universal health and meeting the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The 29th Pan American Sanitary Conference approved the strategy for human resources for universal health, as well as its respective Resolution.
The strategy is intended to guide national policies on human resources for health, taking into account that the availability, accessibility, acceptability, relevance, and competence of human resources in the health sector are key components for achieving the objectives of universal health and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Also, the strategy proposes the strategic lines and interventions which should guide Member States in developing human resources policies and plans, in accordance with the national context and in collaboration with the Pan American Sanitary Bureau and other partners.
The Strategy proposes three strategic lines that are intended to guide Member States in developing policies and plans:
- Strengthen and consolidate governance and leadership in human resources for health
- Develop conditions and capacity to expand access to health and health coverage, with equity and quality
- Partner with the education sector to respond to the needs of health systems in transformation toward universal health
(Document CSP29/10 pdf Strategy on Human Resources for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage. CSP29/10 and CSP29.R15.
Available in (English PDF | Spanish PDF | pdf Portuguese PDF | French PDF )
Human resources for health-who are they?
They are all the people, engaged in actions whose primary intent is to enhance health. They come from different professions and/or occupations working in health, and have varied backgrounds in terms of training, work environment, and employment status.
Health workers as a group include paid staff as well as volunteers in the public and private sector, working full- or part-time, regardless of whether they deliver health services, manage the services offered by the system, or address social determinants of health. They work in a complex intersectoral environment and are committed both to health and the population they serve.

Download brochure - Human Resources for Universal Health
Tri-fold (8.5x11, color/2 sides) pdf English (605.25 kB) PDF | pdf Spanish (616.03 kB) PDF | pdf Portuguese (670.17 kB) PDF| pdf French (665.71 kB) PDF
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Information resources
Core Indicators 2016. Health Situation in the Americas

Resolutions and Mandates
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WHO Nursing & Midwifery Programme
International Council of Nurses (ICN)
Latin American Association of Schools and Colleges of Nursing (ALADEFE)
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (SIIT)
Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres (WHOCCs) for Nursing and Midwifery Development
Pan American Federation of Nursing Professionals (FEPPEN)
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers in Nursing
List of the collaborating centers:
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development
University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing
Brazil
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Education of Health Technicians
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
Brazil
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre in Primary Care Nursing and Health Human Resources
McMaster University, School of Nursing
Canada
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Development of Midwifery
University of Chile, School of Midwifery / Escuela de Obstetricia, Universidad de Chile
Chile
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Services and Nursing Development for Noncommunicable Disease Care
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Escuela de Enfermería
Chile
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for the Development of Innovative Methodologies in the Teaching-Learning in PHC
Asociación Colombiana de Facultades y Escuelas de Enfermería (ACOFAEN)
Colombia
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Development in the Caribbean
University of the West Indies, School of Nursing
Jamaica
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for the Development of Professional Nursing
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Escuela Nacional de Enfermería y Obstetricia
Mexico
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Clinical Training in Health Promotion Nursing
University of Michigan, School of Nursing
United States of America
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Information, Knowledge Management and Sharing
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Center for Global Nursing
United States of America
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for International Nursing
University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Nursing
United States of America
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for International Nursing Development in Primary Health Care
University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing
United States of America
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Human Resources Development and Patient Safety
University of Miami, School of Nursing and Health Studies
United States of America
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Advanced Practice Nursing
Columbia University, School of Nursing
United States of America
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre in Gerontological Nursing Education
New York University, College of Nursing
United States of America
Website - Details
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Leadership
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
United States of America
Website - Details
Links of interest:
- PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers
- Pan American Network of Nursing and Midwifery Collaborating Centers (PANMCC)
- WHO Collaborating Centres
- Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres (WHOCCs) for Nursing and Midwifery Development