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
Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo
Towards Connected Health Across Borders: The Pan-American Highway for Digital Health
The Pan-American Highway, which we all know, connects the entire American continent, stretching from Alaska to the southernmost tip of Argentina. However, this highway is not seamless: there is a 130-kilometer gap between Panama and Colombia where the route abruptly ends. In healthcare, interruptions like this are a daily occurrence. These interruptions manifest in various … [Read more...] about Towards Connected Health Across Borders: The Pan-American Highway for Digital Health
Telehealth: A Tool to Improve Access, Monitoring, and the Quality of Healthcare
"More than half of people do not receive the healthcare they need, and this is where telehealth plays an absolutely crucial role." With these words, Ferdinando Regalia, Social Sector Manager at the IDB, opened the webinar Telehealth: Connecting Patients and Providers, organized by the IDB, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the World Bank. During the seminar, … [Read more...] about Telehealth: A Tool to Improve Access, Monitoring, and the Quality of Healthcare
How Do We in the Region Prepare for the Next Pandemic?
The COVID-19 crisis revealed structural weaknesses in the region's capacity to prevent and respond to emergencies. Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) was the most affected by the health emergency worldwide. With only 8.2% of the population, it accounted for 25.5% of the world's total COVID-19 deaths. Additionally, the economic contraction of 6.7% of GDP in 2020 made it … [Read more...] about How Do We in the Region Prepare for the Next Pandemic?
Caring for the Mental Health of Caregivers
The mental health of caregivers of older people in Latin America and the Caribbean appears to be at risk. A recent IDB survey of more than 27,000 caregivers across the region found a worrisome situation: more than 30% of unpaid caregivers and 19% of paid caregivers reported experiencing symptoms of depression. In this note we will explore some of the effects that caregiving … [Read more...] about Caring for the Mental Health of Caregivers