[Role of the WHO and PAHO in relation to national research policies].

This article deals with the main recommendations of the World Health Assembly and the III Special Meeting of Health of the Americas related to research activities in the countries. It explains the principles underlying the Organization's research policy at the world and regional levels, and the means available for supporting this activity in the health field. It also reports on PAHO's recent research promotion and coordination efforts, which included, inter alia, meetings on national research policies (nine at the country and four at the subregional level), a census of research resources in all countries of the Americas, the provision of modest grants for research projects and for the exchange and training of researchers, support the WHO's collaborating centers, the study of the social sciences as a component of research in health, and fellowships.