In 1991, the Asunción Treaty was adopted, thus creating the Common Market of the South ( MERCOSUR ) between Argentina , Brazil , Paraguay , and Uruguay . Later Chile (1996), Bolivia (1997), Peru (2001) and Venezuela (2004) joined as associate states. Mexico has observer status. Within this regional organization, the health agenda is led by the ministers of health of MERCOSUR, who have worked hard on the process of harmonizing various subjects, such as health in border areas, environment, drugs policy, the Millennium Development Goals, disasters, primary health care, epidemiological surveillance (malaria and dengue), sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and review of the International Sanitary Code in the context of integration. In fact, and s ince 1995, MERCOSUR holds a yearly Meeting of Ministers of Health. Within the common market, a special working group (Subgroup No. 11) is also entirely dedicated to health. Others deal with topics related to health, such as Subgroup No. 6 on the Environment, No. 8 on Agriculture, or No. 10 on Work, Employment and Social Security Issues.
The health agenda of MERCOSUR makes reaching the MDGs a priority, and has created a strategic plan that focuses on care for indigenous peoples, migrants, and border populations. In general terms, the countries of the region have been found to differ considerably in their capacity to follow up the Goals. Within each country, follow-up capacities also vary from one Objective to another. In that sense, the MERCOSUR countries, as well as Bolivia and Chile , are mainly working on the subregional harmonization of variables and pilot experiences.
