A new report by the Pan American Health Organization, "Health in the Americas," shows that the health of people in the Americas is improving, thanks to progress in the fight against infectious disease and increased access to clean drinking water.

The report will be released at a press conference by Dr. George Alleyne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization, at the National Press Club on Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m.

In its new report Health in the Americas, embargoed for release until Sept. 21, 1998 at 00:01 gmt, PAHO finds improvements in health on many fronts. Infant mortality is down, and some individual countries have cut their infant mortality rates to half of what they were 40 years ago.

However, the advances are not shared equally by all populations, and governments in the region must make health care equity a priority as they reform their health systems, PAHO says.

For further information contact: Daniel Epstein, tel (202) 974-3459, fax(202) 974-3143, Office of Public Information, PAHO.