Health Situation in the Americas: Basic Health Indicators 2011

Abstract

The publication “Health Situation in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2011” of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) presents the latest available information on basic health indicators for 48 countries/territories in the Region of the Americas. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death in the Americas, accounting for 76% of all deaths during 2007-2009. This proportion equals to 4 million annual deaths since 2000, of which most (69%) occur in middle and low income countries. Given the immense burden that NCDs pose to the people, they have been recognized for their substantial adverse impact on health and society by all countries and the international community. Therefore, the first United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases is being held in September 2011. Among NCDs, we highlight diabetes mellitus because of its high prevalence. Estimates indicate that around 55 million people live with diabetes in the Region in 2010. This edition includes a thematic map that shows the avoidable mortality from diabetes mellitus for the population under 50 years of age in the Region of the Americas and the mortality trend of diabetes for the past 10 years, showing the different death risks and inequities among countries...