One factor that makes it difficult to tackle exclusion in health in the Region is that the current state of exclusion and which interventions have proven to be efficient in combating it are not known. This is due to the scarcity of methodological instruments for characterizing and measuring the problem. 

Specifically, it is necessary to promote the development of instruments to:

-  Analyze exclusion in health as a determinant of the health status of a country, region, province, or state
- Identify the indicators most adequate to measure exclusion in health in each case
- Characterize the factors that can affect the strategies designed to diminish exclusion in health
-  Analyze the strategies implemented to improve the health status of the population and their impact on exclusion
-  Identify the main actors and groups of interest involved in the processes of application of such interventions

Knowing these elements will make it possible to develop a diagnosis of the situation of exclusion/social protection in health in each country and will help in the identification of interventions to reduce exclusion and extend social protection in health according to local needs. 

In this context, PAHO has developed a methodology to support the countries in the characterization of exclusion in health. The methodology has three components:  

- The structure of the social protection systems
- The exclusion and its measurement
- The strategies designed to reduce exclusion 

Each component and their analytical elements are described. Specific protocols for grouping information in tables and graphs are presented.


Methodological Guidelines for the Characterization of Social Exclusion in Health
(spanish only - PDF: 530K)