Health Expenditure, Poverty and Economic Development in Latin America 2000-2005

Two of the main problems of many Latin American countries are poverty and low levels of expenditure on health. In many countries there has been little progress in this regard due to the lack of resources, and thus it is important to focus on the main policies that may improve Latin American development because its positive effect on income per capita and health expenditure. This article analyses the evolution of health expenditure, poverty indicators and economic development in American countries for the period 2000-2005, and focus on the important positive effect that the necessary increase in industrial development will have on poverty eradication and health improvement for the next years. Both national policies and international cooperation to development in the poorest countries of Latin America should favor all the factors of production which contribute to foster economic development, and particularly the investment in industry.