Intersectoral Collaboration at the Forefront: Launch of Welfare Week 2025 for Enhanced Health and Well-being by WHO/OPS

Health Organization (PAHO) is spearheading a major initiative focused on Intersectorality and health in All Policies, launching a pivotal week of events on September 15, 2025.">

PAHO to Launch Major Initiative on intersectorality for Improved Health Outcomes

washington, D.C. – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is preparing to launch a comprehensive campaign focused on intersectorality and Health in All Policies, slated to begin on September 15, 2025, with a virtual event accessible via the Zoom platform. The week-long focus, running from September 13 to 19, aims to promote a holistic view of health across the Americas.

Understanding Intersectorality in Public Health

The core concept driving this initiative is Intersectorality – a collaborative approach bringing together diverse public administration sectors. This strategy seeks to enhance the effectiveness of interventions addressing the Social determinants of health,encompassing factors like housing,transportation,access to green spaces,and working conditions,all of which have a critically important impact on well-being.This approach recognizes that health is not solely a medical issue, but deeply intertwined with social and economic factors.

Key Partnerships and Support

PAHO is spearheading this effort in collaboration with the Caribbean public Health Agency (Carpha) and with the support of the American Public Health Association (APHA), and also numerous Latin american Public health Associations, and the Executive Secretariat of the Council of Ministries of Health of Central America and the Dominican Republic (SE-COMMISCA).The breadth of this coalition underscores the regional commitment to a more integrated approach to public health.

The 2025 Theme: Building Health and Well-being Together

this year’s Welfare Week of the Americas centers around the theme of “Building health and well-being together,” reaffirming the need for unified efforts to tackle the conditions impacting health and equitable access to resources.The intersectoral approach aims to create synergistic effects, optimizing interventions and fostering better outcomes for all populations.

PAHO’s Strategic Initiatives

In 2023, PAHO established the Intersectoral Work network and Social Participation for equity in Health of the Americas (Tipsessa Red), uniting over 50 institutions from more than 13 countries. This network focuses on exchanging knowledge and strengthening skills in intersectoral collaboration. Furthermore, PAHO is developing an analytical and indicators framework to monitor and evaluate these intersectoral actions, ensuring they effectively promote health equity and well-being.

The Role of Local Governments

Local governments are considered vital partners in this initiative, possessing the capacity to implement inclusive and participatory public policies. They are central to the Movement of Municipalities for Healthy cities and Communities (MCCS), a regional platform involving over 3,800 cities and municipalities supported by PAHO.

Event Details: september 15, 2025

The official launch event will take place on Monday, September 15, 2025, as a virtual conference available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. registration is currently open and can be accessed here.

Event Element	Details
Date	September 15, 2025
Format	Virtual Event (Zoom)
languages	English, Spanish, Portuguese
Focus	Intersectorality and Health in All Policies

Did You Know? The concept of ‘Health in All Policies’ gained significant traction following the 2008 World Health Organization report on social determinants of health, highlighting the need for broader societal action.

Pro Tip: when advocating for intersectoral collaboration, focus on shared benefits and clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each partner.

The event’s agenda boasts welcomes from Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO, Dr. Lisa Indar, Executive Director of Carpha, Dr.José Renán de León Cáceres, Executive Secretary of SE-COMMISCA, and Dr. George Benjamin, Executive Director of APHA. A key debate panel will feature experts like Dra. Patricia Castillo, President of the Intersectoral Work Net, Dr. shepherd Castle-Flower, Director of the National School of Public Health in Cuba, and Dra. Kelsey Lucyk, Director of Directorate of Health Equity Policies at the Canada Public Health Agency, moderated by Dra. Orielle Solar, Chief of the Health promotion Unit and Social Determinants at PAHO. the event will conclude with remarks from Dra. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, Deputy Director of PAHO.

The Growing Importance of intersectoral Collaboration

The increasing complexity of modern health challenges demands a move beyond traditional medical interventions. Conditions like chronic diseases, mental health issues, and the impacts of climate change require coordinated efforts involving various sectors-from education and urban planning to agriculture and environmental protection. Prosperous intersectoral initiatives can lead to more lasting and equitable health outcomes, addressing root causes rather than simply treating symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions about Intersectorality

• What is intersectorality in the context of health? It’s the collaborative effort between different sectors to address health determinants.
• Why is intersectoral work vital for public health? It tackles the root causes of health issues,leading to more sustainable and equitable outcomes.
• What are social determinants of health? These are the social and economic conditions that influence individuals’ health, such as housing, education, and employment.
• How does PAHO support intersectoral initiatives? Through networks, frameworks, and initiatives like Tipsessa Red and the Movement of Municipalities.
• What role do local governments play in intersectoral collaboration? They are key implementers of policies and programs that address local health needs.
• What is the Health in All Policies approach? It’s a strategy that integrates health considerations into all policy areas.
• Where can I find more information about the PAHO Welfare week of the Americas? Visit the PAHO website for updates and resources.

What steps can communities take to foster more intersectoral approaches to health? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Stay informed and spread the word about this crucial initiative!

What specific capacity-building initiatives does the Red Tipsessa network undertake, and how are they tailored to local needs?

The Core of Welfare Week 2025: A Shift in Public Health Approach

Welfare Week 2025, launched today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health organization (OPS), signifies a pivotal move towards intersectoral collaboration in achieving complete health and well-being. This isn’t simply another awareness campaign; it’s a focused effort to integrate health initiatives across various sectors – moving beyond customary healthcare models. The initiative, spearheaded by the Red Tipsessa network, acknowledges that true wellness isn’t solely a medical concern, but a product of social, economic, and environmental factors. This year’s theme, “Building Health and Well-being Together,” underscores this collaborative spirit.

Understanding Intersectoral Collaboration in Health

Intersectoral collaboration involves bringing together different parts of society – government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector entities, and community groups – to address health challenges. This approach recognizes the complex determinants of health and aims to create synergistic solutions.

Here’s how it differs from traditional approaches:

Traditional: Healthcare providers focus on treating illness after it occurs.

Intersectoral: Focuses on preventing illness by addressing root causes through coordinated action.

Key areas benefiting from this approach include:

Public Health Initiatives: Disease prevention, health promotion.

Social Welfare Programs: Addressing poverty, food security, housing.

Environmental Protection: Clean air and water, lasting environments.

Education: Health literacy, promoting healthy lifestyles.

The Role of PAHO’s Red Tipsessa Network

The Red Tipsessa network is central to the success of Welfare Week 2025 and PAHO’s broader strategy for integrated health in Latin America. This network facilitates knowledge sharing, resource mobilization, and collaborative project development among various stakeholders. It’s described as a “messy, marvelous collaboration” – acknowledging the challenges inherent in bringing diverse groups together, but highlighting the significant impact of their collective efforts.

Red Tipsessa focuses on:

1. Capacity Building: Training and supporting local health workers and community leaders.
2. Data Sharing: Creating a centralized platform for health data and best practices.
3. Advocacy: Promoting policies that support intersectoral collaboration.
4. Innovation: identifying and scaling up successful health interventions.

Key Focus areas for Welfare Week 2025

This year’s welfare Week emphasizes several critical areas where intersectoral collaboration is paramount:

Mental health: Integrating mental health services into schools, workplaces, and community centers. Collaboration with education and employment sectors is crucial.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Addressing risk factors like unhealthy diets and physical inactivity through partnerships with the food industry, urban planners, and recreational facilities. Chronic disease prevention is a key goal.

health Equity: Reducing health disparities by targeting interventions to vulnerable populations. This requires collaboration with social justice organizations and community groups. Social determinants of health are central to this effort.

Climate Change and Health: Mitigating the health impacts of climate change through collaboration with environmental agencies and sustainable development initiatives. Environmental health is a growing concern.

Benefits of Intersectoral Collaboration: A Deeper Dive

The advantages of a collaborative approach extend far beyond simply improving health outcomes.

Increased Efficiency: Pooling resources and expertise avoids duplication of effort.

Sustainable Solutions: Addressing root causes leads to long-term improvements.

enhanced Community Engagement: Involving local communities fosters ownership and participation.

Improved Health Outcomes: A holistic approach leads to better overall health and well-being.

Cost-Effectiveness: Prevention is frequently enough more cost-effective than treatment.

Practical Tips for Implementing Intersectoral Collaboration

Successfully implementing intersectoral collaboration requires careful planning and execution. Here are some practical tips:

1. Identify Key Stakeholders: Map out all relevant organizations and individuals.
2. Establish Clear Goals: Define shared objectives and measurable outcomes.
3. Develop a Communication Plan: Ensure regular and clear communication.
4. Build Trust: Foster relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
5. Secure Funding: Identify sustainable funding sources.
6. Evaluate Progress: Regularly assess the impact of collaborative efforts. Health program evaluation is essential.

Real-World examples of Successful Collaboration

While Welfare Week 2025 is a recent launch, successful models of intersectoral collaboration already exist.

Finland’s North Karelia Project: A long-running initiative that reduced cardiovascular disease rates through collaboration between health authorities, farmers, and the food industry.

*Colombia’s “salud