MEXICO, CMC – The Director of the Pan American Well being Group (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, has underscored the necessity to deal with public well being challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In addressing the inauguration of the Mexican Nationwide Institute of Public Well being’s (INSP) twentieth Public Well being Analysis Congress 2025, Barbosa highlighted the challenges dealing with public well being in Latin America and the Caribbean, that are characterised by demographic transition, persistent inequities, and setbacks ensuing from the pandemic.
Regardless of this, he offered concrete proposals to deal with these challenges and underscored the progress achieved.
Throughout his lecture, “The Precedence Well being Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean,” Dr. Barbosa acknowledged that “the Area of the Americas is probably the most inequitable on this planet. “He emphasised the stark disparities between nations, from the wealthiest nation, america, to the poorest, Haiti, whose well being circumstances are severely affected by political and social instability.
Moreover, he talked about inner inequities inside nations, noting that “disparities in well being indicators and outcomes, comparable to mortality, are a basic attribute of our area, which compels us to actively hunt down the susceptible, determine the obstacles that hinder their entry to well being, and take measures to beat them.”
The PAHO director additionally addressed the area’s growing old inhabitants, which represents an imminent problem for well being programs.
He mentioned that, in 2015, solely 8 % of the inhabitants was over 60 years outdated and that, by 2030, one in six area inhabitants will likely be older than that, warning concerning the further stress that this pattern locations on public companies.
Dr. Barbosa highlighted that life expectancy has elevated within the area due to advances comparable to vaccines and the discount in toddler mortality. Nevertheless, he warned that these further years should be lived equitably and healthily.
“It’s not nearly dwelling extra years, however making certain they’re high quality years, the place individuals can absolutely take pleasure in life and contribute to improvement, with out a rise in incapacity,” he mentioned.
The PAHO director acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic deepened pre-existing inequities within the area, disproportionately affecting probably the most susceptible, who confronted restricted entry to well being companies and difficulties in following public well being suggestions, which elevated mortality.
Nevertheless, he additionally emphasised that “the pandemic, though difficult, left us with essential classes.
“We’re at present working with nations within the area to strengthen preparedness and response capability for future outbreaks and pandemics,” he mentioned.
On this nexus, he talked about PAHO initiatives, comparable to collaboration with nations to entry assets from the Pandemic Fund and strengthening the area’s capability to supply vaccines.
“Our focus is on making use of the teachings discovered and making certain extra equitable entry to the inputs and applied sciences important to save lots of lives in future pandemics,” Barbosa mentioned.
Concerning post-pandemic restoration, he highlighted the efforts made to enhance vaccination charges within the area.
“The Americas have stood out for having achieved probably the most vital advances in vaccine protection in 2023 and 2024 in comparison with different areas, based on WHO (World Well being Group) and UNICEF (United Nations Youngsters’s Fund) knowledge.,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless, the PAHO director warned that, regardless of progress, “vital inequalities persist,” stating that, in lots of nations, general protection charges masks native disparities the place probably the most susceptible teams proceed to lack entry to vaccines.”
Barbosa additionally addressed a important concern that requires “reflection and dedication”: Maternal mortality.
Through the pandemic, he mentioned maternal mortality grew by nearly one hundred pc.
He mentioned this improve displays restricted entry to well being companies and high quality of care.
“Luckily, some nations have already managed to return to pre-pandemic ranges, however we can’t accept this,” mentioned Dr. Barbosa, underscoring the launch of PAHO’s Zero Maternal Deaths initiative.
He known as for recognition of the affect of social, financial, and business determinants on inhabitants well being, stating that probably the most susceptible teams are probably the most affected by elements comparable to weight problems, lack of entry to wholesome meals, and insecurity of their communities.
He alluded to the expansion of non-communicable ailments (NCDs), that are answerable for greater than 80 % of deaths within the area.
On this regard, Barbosa emphasised the significance of adopting complete public insurance policies that promote wholesome habits and work “intersectorally to enhance the inhabitants’s dwelling circumstances.
“The well being sector should lead, however with the help of sectors comparable to training, safety, and social improvement,” he mentioned.
Regardless of the area’s challenges, Dr. Barbosa highlighted the progress and the necessity to incorporate progressive instruments, methods, and applied sciences to speed up progress.
“It’s essential to rethink how we manage public well being applications,” he mentioned. “Main care should be extra built-in, and we should determine and attain probably the most susceptible individuals to cut back the burden of ailments” comparable to tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV.
Among the many key initiatives promoted by PAHO, he talked about Higher Look after Non-Communicable Illnesses in Main Well being Care, the Illness Elimination Initiative, and the digital transformation of well being programs. He additionally highlighted the necessity to introduce and broaden the usage of HPV exams and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to deal with cervical most cancers and HIV.
“If we promote the speedy use of latest molecular exams to determine HPV lesions that ladies can self-administer, we are able to considerably scale back deaths from cervical most cancers, which continues to take greater than 40,000 lives every year, notably in these ladies with probably the most difficulties accessing well being companies,” he mentioned.
“It’s important that well being professionals, college students, and all these concerned in well being programs mirror on the right way to change conventional approaches and search progressive options to succeed in probably the most susceptible,” he mentioned. “The central query ought to be: How can I take advantage of the obtainable knowledge to determine these left behind, and what new methods ought to I implement to succeed in them?”
In advocating for difficult expectations about the way forward for well being within the area, Dr. Barbosa referred to the Sustainable Growth Targets (SDGs) for 2030.
“Some predict that we’ll not obtain many of those objectives, however as well being professionals, we should present that these predictions might be challenged,” he mentioned. “Even when we don’t obtain all the things, we should get as shut as doable. We are able to transfer in direction of a extra equitable future via new methods and applied sciences.”
The PAHO director reaffirmed the significance of the well being sector as an important engine for breaking the vicious circle of poverty and poor well being.
“Well being has the facility to contribute to breaking this cycle,” he mentioned. “Figuring out and eradicating vulnerabilities, we are able to transfer in direction of a extra equitable and wholesome future in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
