Worldwide overview of health and home care. It describes the World Health Organization (WHO) in its historical background, pointing out the Brazilian participation in its foundation and some of the most relevant facts and events that preceded its creation. Also, it depicts the history of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) founded in December 1902 and its celebration of the first centennial. A general overview regarding the world's health is given including globalization, as an irreversible fact, demographical and epidemiological changes, dependence and care delivery, home care services and policies on home care.
WHO; home care; history; globalization