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...