The Essential Public Health Functions in the Americas: A Renewal for the 21st Century - Conceptual Framework and Description Format PAHO updates essential public health functions for countries of the Americas Renewed roadmap aims to address health system weaknesses and eliminate barriers to access to care. In the Americas, nearly 30% of the population does not seek care when they need it. Washington, DC, December 11, 2020 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) today urged the countries of the Americas to renew the essential public health functions (EPHF) to provide quality public health services and actions, to address epidemics and to advance toward universal health.