In Brazil, Roses Details Health Goals

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Mirta Roses was the keynote speaker at a seminar on "The Future of Public Health: A New Vision for the Americas," in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in mid-September. The seminar was part of a series of activities honoring the 50th anniversary of the National School of Public Health, of Brazil's Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ).

In her talk, Roses presented key data on the health situation in Latin America and the Caribbean and discussed their relationship to the Millennium Development Goals.

Among highlights of her presentation were:

• 230 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean (46 percent) lack health insurance.
• 125 million (27 percent) lack permanent access to basic health services.
• 17 percent of births take place without the assistance of qualified health personnel.
• 152 million people lack access to potable water or basic sanitation services.
• 120 million people lack access to health care for economic reasons.
• 107 million lack access for geographic reasons.

Roses also noted that PAHO and its member countries are developing policies to increase access to health for those who have been left behind. The goals include:

• Guaranteeing social protection in health for all citizens;
• Help eliminate inequalities in access;
• Guarantee quality health services;
• Ensure that socially excluded groups have access to integral care;
• Ensure that access to care is not dependent upon the ability to pay.

Roses pointed out that both poverty and inequality are on the increase in Latin America and the Caribbean, yet there are other more encouraging trends: increased civic consciousness, greater awareness of human rights, and increased participation as a result of decentralization.