Regional strategy and plan of action on an integrated approach to the prevention and control of chronic diseases

Abstract

[Summary] In 2002, the 26th Pan American Sanitary Conference recognized chronic noncommunicable diseases as the greatest cause of premature death and morbidity in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and adopted Resolution CSP26.R15, which called for increased and coordinated technical cooperation from PAHO. In response to this resolution and recognizing the need for an updated inter–programmatic chronic disease strategy, PAHO has developed a Regional Strategy and Plan of Action. It notes that chronic diseases are devastating to individuals, families, and communities, particularly poor populations; and they are a growing threat to economic development. In the next two decades in LAC, it is estimated that there will be a near tripling of the incidence of ischemic heart disease and stroke. Moreover, vulnerable populations such as the poor are more likely to develop chronic diseases, and low income families are more likely to become impoverished from them. The societal costs associated with chronic diseases are staggering. For example, the total annual cost associated with diabetes was estimated at US $65 billion for LAC in 2000.