Health--Latin America: Health Outlook Not the Best

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Health--Latin America: Health Outlook Not the Best

IPS Wire (12/23/97)

Abstract: Despite the many medical advances over the past few decades, a number of illnesses believed to have been beaten are returning. Many strains have shown an increased resistance to medication. In fact, a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that though some diseases like leprosy, trichinosis, and polio have declined significantly over the past 50 years, the increase of poverty in the world has had negative effects on the health of the world population. On a global scale, tuberculosis, AIDS, and hepatitis-B indices have increased and, in some instances, even multiplied. In Latin America and the Caribbean, resistance to antibiotics and strong drugs is driving the spread of these emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Yellow fever is one example of the illnesses that have re- emerged in the region. To date, there have been 400 cases reported--50 percent of which were fatal--and yellow fever is now present in five countries in the region. While emerging illnesses have not reached pandemic proportions--thanks to an effective monitoring system operated by the Pan American Health Organization, local health authorities, and non- governmental organizations--WHO is sponsoring an international conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in March 1998. Among other issues, the meeting will discuss tropical illnesses, sexually transmitted diseases, and respiratory problems to develop a plan of action for the next century.

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