The fact that 2023 was the warmest year on record in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) should be reason enough to be concerned about the effects of a changing planet on people in our region. The Amazon recently suffered the worst drought in the last 50 years, and Central America had a record number of hurricanes and floods. As a result of its geography and because of … [Read more...] about Adaptive Social Protection: A Priority for the Region
Inter-American Development Bank
Caring for the Elderly: A Job Deserving Recognition and Support
What would you expect if you were offered a job that requires a great deal of time and commitment, and which also requires specific technical skills, interpersonal skills, a bit of psychology, empathy, the ability to react to unforeseen events and, above all, a lot of patience? Surely, you would expect at least two things: a good level of remuneration and a technical … [Read more...] about Caring for the Elderly: A Job Deserving Recognition and Support
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
Is It Possible to Get to a Health Center in 30 Minutes? The Truth Behind Access to Health Care in Latin America and the Caribbean
Have you ever thought about how long it would take you to get to a health center if you had an emergency? It is estimated that one in three people in the region have unmet health needs. And while it is true that not all access depends on infrastructure, it is important to extend access to health services.Technology now makes it possible to combine layers of population datawith … [Read more...] about Is It Possible to Get to a Health Center in 30 Minutes? The Truth Behind Access to Health Care in Latin America and the Caribbean