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A Moving Target: Universal Access to Healthcare Services in Latin America and the Caribbean

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  • William Savedoff

Abstract

Healthcare services are more widespread in Latin America and the Caribbean today than 50 years ago, yet this availability is not necessarily reflected in popular perceptions. This study documents the expansion of healthcare services in the Region in terms of medically-trained professionals, service utilization, and insurance eligibility. It finds that people in countries with more doctors have a more positive view of access to healthcare and greater confidence in the healthcare system. However, other factors intervene in this relationship between perceptions and objective indicators, such as the strength of local social networks and wealth. As a consequence of rising expectations, differential access and continuing discontent, public policy can be driven by factors that are least likely to improve the population's health.

Suggested Citation

  • William Savedoff, 2009. "A Moving Target: Universal Access to Healthcare Services in Latin America and the Caribbean," Research Department Publications 4606, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:wpaper:4606
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    Cited by:

    1. Bereket Yakob & Busisiwe Purity Ncama, 2016. "Correlates of perceived access and implications for health system strengthening – lessons from HIV/AIDS treatment and care services in Ethiopia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Vélez, Jorge, 2011. "e-Health in Colombia: regulations, applications and challenges," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35329, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    3. Rojas, Misael, 2011. "Information and communication technologies in health care: enabling projects and applications in Chile," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35328, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    4. Martinez-Gutierrez, María Soledad & Cuadrado, Cristóbal, 2017. "Health policy in the concertación era (1990–2010): Reforms the chilean way," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 117-126.
    5. Vega, Silvio, 2011. "The National Telemedicine and Telehealth Programme in Panama," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35334, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    6. -, 2011. "e-Health in Latin America and the Caribbean: progress and challenges," Libros y Documentos Institucionales, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), number 3001 edited by Eclac, September.
    7. Gertrudiz, Nancy, 2011. "e-Health policies, programmes and projects in Mexico," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35333, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    8. Coury, Wilson & Haddad, Ana Estela & Kelton, M.C. & Messina, Luiz Ari & Filho, J. L. Ribeiro & Simões, Nelson, 2011. "Telehealth initiatives in Brazil," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35327, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    9. Oviedo, Enrique & Fernández, Andrés, 2010. "Information and communication technologies in the health sector: opportunities and challenges for the reduction of inequalities in Latin America and the Caribbean," Políticas Sociales 6178, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    10. Carnicero, Javier, 2011. "The e-Health experience in Spain: lessons for Latin America and the Caribbean," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35339, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    11. Oliveri, Nora, 2011. "Background information and e-Health applications in Argentina," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35326, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    12. Mijares Pisano, María Teresa, 2011. "e-Health development potentialities in Ecuador," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35331, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    13. -, 2011. "Potentials of e-Health in the social and epidemiological context of Latin America and the Caribbean," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35325, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    14. Sandor, Tomás, 2011. "Public health information systems in the Caribbean," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35338, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    15. Siddique Latif & Junaid Qadir & Shahzad Farooq & Muhammad Ali Imran, 2017. "How 5G Wireless (and Concomitant Technologies) Will Revolutionize Healthcare?," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-24, December.
    16. Cortés, Jaime, 2011. "Costa Rica's Telesalud programme: experiences and challenges," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35330, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    17. Silva, Ricardo, 2011. "Technological projects for e-Health in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35337, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    18. Ferreira, Alicia & Forcella, Jorge & Margolis, Alvaro & Clastornik, José & Vero, Alvaro, 2011. "e-Health in Uruguay: development and challenges," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35336, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    19. Curioso, Walter H., 2011. "e-Health in Peru: an emerging issue," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 35335, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health Care; Health Financing; Access; Happiness; Health Policy; Latin America; Caribbean;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • N96 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Latin America; Caribbean

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