During the twentieth century nearly all populations in the world experienced significant improvements in health. The largest gains occurred with the control of communicable diseases in childhood, but death rates in adult populations have also declined in most regions. By 2020, the importance of communicable diseases will have declined while cardiovascular diseases, depression, and injuries will assume greater importance. Even so, respiratory infections, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, and HIV will remain significant burdens in many developing countries. In spite of nearly universal improvements in population health, the differences between countries are actually widening, particularly in the Americas, the region with the widest disparities. Marked inequalities in health within countries are present throughout the region and are related to income, education, ethnicity, gender, and other factors. Limited access to and use of health services are related to the same factors. There is growing consensus that inequities must be reduced within and between countries if sustained improvements in health and development are to occur. The proportion of GDP spent on health is lower in poorer countries, and the private share of health spending is also higher in poorer countries. Within countries, poorer households spend proportionately more on health and risk greater impoverishment. In Latin America, nearly 60 percent of health expenditures are private. Even public facilities are more likely to serve the better off. As the health sector is reformed, it is essential that governments play a strong regulatory role to ensure that essential services of adequate quality are provided and used equitably.
Learning Objectives: Participants will learn about major health trends and inequalities, especially in the region of the Americas, and how health services contribute to disparities. As a result, they will be able to define how health systems must be reformed to reduce inequities and how health reforms can be assessed
Keywords: Health Indices, Health Reform
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Pan American Health Organization
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee