Latin America and the Caribbean have experienced important improvements in key health indicators over the last two decades. For example, since 2000 average life expectancy rose from 71 to 75 years of age, and mortality rates for children under five fell by 44%. The region currently faces the challenge of maintaining these achievements and making further progress in health … [Read more...] about 10 Take-Aways on How the Region Can Improve Health Spending Efficiency
Digital Transformation
Tech that Improves Diagnosis to Save Lives
Errors in diagnosing are very common, despite being one of the most important aspects of a physician’s role, and can result in avoidable delays in obtaining care, and even death. In the United States, medical error, which includes misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment, is the third leading cause of death. Studies in Latin American countries show that the rate hovers around 11% … [Read more...] about Tech that Improves Diagnosis to Save Lives
How Community Health Workers Are Helping Vulnerable Communities
Despite enormous advances in technology and improvements in human welfare at the global level, there are still vulnerable populations today that have little or no access to basic health care, even in developed countries such as the United States. One factor contributing to the problem is the major crisis involving human resources in health – resources that are vital to the … [Read more...] about How Community Health Workers Are Helping Vulnerable Communities
Empowered Patients make Better Health Care
Not so long ago, access to primary health care was scarce and of poor quality. Although much must be done still to ensure quality health-care for all, particularly those most vulnerable, in recent years, the emphasis on bettering health care systems has resulted in improvements. Patients now expect more from these systems and listening to them might just be the key to … [Read more...] about Empowered Patients make Better Health Care
Trapped in a Hospital for Too Long? Intermediate Care Provides Escape
Copyright © 2017. Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo. Si deseas republicar el artículo, por favor solicita autorización a sph-communication@iadb.org. By Ian W. Mac Arthur. There is one public general hospital in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, where over one in five of all patients remain longer than fifteen days, and 44% of them linger on for more than a month. Most of them … [Read more...] about Trapped in a Hospital for Too Long? Intermediate Care Provides Escape