Toward Universal Health Coverage and Equity in Latin America and the Caribbean: Evidence from Selected Countries

Abstract

"For the past two years, the World Bank and PAHO have engaged in a collaborative effort to examine policies and initiatives in LAC aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This report is one product of that collaboration. It includes contributions from professionals from both institutions and it has received the support of researchers from several countries in the region. The report provides insight on different approaches and progress being made by selected countries over the past quarter century to increase population coverage, services covered, and financial protection, with a special focus on reductions in health inequities. The report shows that countries have made meaningful progress toward UHC, with increases in population coverage and access to health services, a rise in public spending on health, and a decline in out-of-pocket payments, which can result in catastrophic spending and impoverishment for many households. Expanded health services, including preventive, curative, and specialized services, have also been observed in most countries, and service utilization has become less inequitable over the years. The gap between rich and poor has also narrowed on a number of key health outcomes. Despite the advances, much remains to be done to close the equity gap and address new health challenges in the Region".