Alberto Pradilla

As is noted in the opening chapter of this volume, nutrition and public health programs have been important throughout Latin America and the Caribbean for many years. This is due to the spe­ cial concerns of those responsible for setting national policies, the program experience and leadership in public health developed by the national governments, and the stimulus and cooperation of the Pan American Health Organization (PARO), including its twelve associated centers which focus on research, training and program development. The need for a coordinated hemisphere-wide attack on malnu­ trition and other health problems was expressed clearly in the "Ten Year Health Plan for the Americas" (1). This plan established specific targets for reducing the prevalence of the major nutri­ tional diseases and other health problems for the decade 1971-1980.