Health spending is a major concern in our region, for households and governments alike. Two recently published studies that were commissioned by the IDB examine how health spending may evolve in the near future, what drives these changes, and what can be done. Health Expenditures Are Growing Fast but Not Equally The first paper projects that health spending will rise … [Read more...] about Health Spending in Latin America and the Caribbean Will Double by 2050: What Can Be Done?
Sofia Castro Vargas
Sofia Castro is an economist with a Master's degree in Economics from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia. She is currently a consultant for the Health, Nutrition and Population Division of the IDB, where she supports the health knowledge agenda. Prior to joining the IDB, Sofia worked at the Center for Economic Development Studies (CEDE) in Colombia and as an external consultant in the IDB's Education Division on research projects on higher education dropout, early childhood development, and sustainable management of natural resources.
How Social Determinants Shape Health in Latin America and the Caribbean: Insights from a New Report
Health is about more than access to doctors and medicine. It is shaped by where we live, the air we breathe, the jobs we have, the education we receive, and the social connections we build. These factors—known as the social determinants of health (SDH)—play a fundamental role in shaping our well-being and life expectancy. In a new report from the Inter-American Development … [Read more...] about How Social Determinants Shape Health in Latin America and the Caribbean: Insights from a New Report
Overcoming Obstacles: Barriers to Diabetes Treatment and How Telehealth Can Help
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