Diabetes mellitus is an important health issue in Latin America and the Caribbean as it accounts for 4.3% of the disease burden in the region. Disease management programs (DMPs) aim to improve chronic disease care, but they are often complex, involving a wide range of healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and specialists—who need to interact regularly with … [Read more...] about Overcoming Obstacles: Barriers to Diabetes Treatment and How Telehealth Can Help
Sebastian Bauhoff
Dr. Bauhoff is a Principal Health Economist at the Inter-American Development Bank. He has worked on health policy for two decades in settings from Germany (his home country) to Colombia, with a focus on innovations in health care financing and service delivery that can increase access, efficiency, and quality of care. His recent work includes empirical impact evaluations of health insurance and results-based financing programs, and ways to use routine data to measure quality and target interventions. Dr. Bauhoff received a BSc from the London School of Economics, an MPA in International Development from the Harvard Kennedy School and a PhD in Health Policy/Economics from Harvard University. He previously held positions as Economist at the RAND Corporation, Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development, and Assistant Professor of Global Health and Economics at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
Top 5 of Gente Saludable: The Most Read of 2024
As the year comes to a close, we reflect on the work we've done and the topics that have shaped our blog in 2024. Thanks to the support of specialists, guest authors, and readers from all over the world, we've covered key health topics, shared learnings, and explored innovative solutions. In this article, we not only highlight the most-read pieces of the year but also share … [Read more...] about Top 5 of Gente Saludable: The Most Read of 2024
Public Hospitals in the Region: What Is the Room for Improvement?
Hospitals are a key component of health systems and health spending in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Across the region, hospital care already accounts for about 1/3 of total health spending and is expected to increase in absolute and relative terms as populations age and medical technology improves. The public sector has a substantial role in providing and paying for … [Read more...] about Public Hospitals in the Region: What Is the Room for Improvement?
Why Long Wait Times for Health Care Should Matter – and How to Reduce Them
Long waiting times for public health care services are common in Latin America, as confirmed by the available data. For instance, in 2022 the median waiting time for hip replacements – a common elective surgery – was 408 days in Chile and 632 in Costa Rica. And even for coronary bypass surgery, more than three in four patients have been on a waiting list for more than three … [Read more...] about Why Long Wait Times for Health Care Should Matter – and How to Reduce Them
Is it possible to achieve more health per dollar spent? Potential gains by improving health spending efficiency
Getting more for our current spending is a smart way to improve health system performance. That rings especially true in the current context: budgets are tight and health expenditures are projected to increase by 3% annually in real terms. Increasing the returns to health spending is good for health outcomes and it can support the argument for increasing the relatively low … [Read more...] about Is it possible to achieve more health per dollar spent? Potential gains by improving health spending efficiency