Hospital beds are a scarce resource in Latin America and the Caribbean, yet many are taken up by patients whose conditions could be managed outside the hospital, for example in clinics or doctors' offices, according to a new IDB analysis. In the study, we assessed what share of hospitalizations could be avoided by more effective primary care: hospitalizations for so-called … [Read more...] about One in Six Hospitalizations in Latin America and the Caribbean Could Be Avoided
Health Spending and Financing
Reducing Waste to Achieve More Health
By 2050, most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are expected to experience per capita health spending growth rates that outpace the growth of their national income. According to a recent IDB-financed study, per capita health spending in the region could nearly triple by 2050, with annual growth rates above 3% between 2030 and 2050. In the Dominican Republic, … [Read more...] about Reducing Waste to Achieve More Health
Health Spending in Latin America and the Caribbean Will Double by 2050: What Can Be Done?
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?
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
The Hidden Trade-off of High-Cost Drugs
The speed at which new healthcare technologies are emerging is unprecedented. Some bring significant health improvements for previously intractable conditions, while others offer modest clinical benefits. These innovations put pressure on budgets everywhere, and although this is politically difficult to accept, it is a fact that no country, no matter how wealthy, can fund all … [Read more...] about The Hidden Trade-off of High-Cost Drugs