Temperatures in the month of July 2023 soared higher than they ever have in 174 years of climate records, the result of a decades-long trend of rising temperatures. These extreme temperatures are a glimpse of the glaring fact: The impact of climate change is real, now, and it no longer is a “future” problem. Climate change is no longer a potential or theoretical risk. It has … [Read more...] about Climate change is here – and to stay healthy we have to adapt to it
Health services
Beyond Diagnosis: Improving Treatment and Control of Chronic Conditions
Addressing the large and growing burden of non-communicable diseases in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region requires better prevention and screening but also improving diagnosis, treatment, and control of the conditions once they have developed. This needs concerted action by health systems, healthcare providers and patients, as well as other stakeholders – such as … [Read more...] about Beyond Diagnosis: Improving Treatment and Control of Chronic Conditions
Belize Further Paves the Way to Malaria Elimination in Mesoamerica with IDB Support
The Country is Certified Malaria-Free by the World Health Organization. Malaria has plagued populations all over the world for almost five thousand years, claiming millions of lives. It was endemic on all continents in the 1950’s. Since then, it has been eradicated in Europe and Northern America. Now, Mesoamerica is also heading towards elimination. Belize has just achieved … [Read more...] about Belize Further Paves the Way to Malaria Elimination in Mesoamerica with IDB Support
How can we protect the poorest and most vulnerable households against climate change?
Poor and vulnerable households are facing new and worsening climate risks that require urgent attention from social protection systems in Latin America and the Caribbean. A recent study conducted by the IDB introduces an innovative conceptual framework for analyzing the relationship between climate change and poverty and proposes a series of policy options to strengthen … [Read more...] about How can we protect the poorest and most vulnerable households against climate change?
Preventing Unnecessary Deaths: Tackling Low Quality of Care
“In LAC, 70% of excess deaths that could have been avoided by adequate healthcare are due to low quality of care while 30% are due to lack of access to care.” This striking statistic is often used to highlight the importance of quality for health outcomes, including in the IDB’s Health Sector Framework. But what is the basis for this estimate, and what does it mean? What … [Read more...] about Preventing Unnecessary Deaths: Tackling Low Quality of Care