Economic Dimensions of Non-Communicable Disease in Latin America and the Caribbean. Disease Control Priorities

ANDRES PICHON RIVIERE

REVISTA PANAMERICANA DE SALUD PúBLICA

PAHO

Año: 2016

1020-4989

Economic Dimensions of Noncommunicable Diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean is a companion volume to Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (DCP3). This volume explores the relationship between and the impact of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) on development and economic growth in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This collection of manuscripts examines the complex interplay among NCDs, health expenditures and financial investments in health, poverty, and inequities, using up-to-date information and evidence from the LAC region.There is compelling proof that NCDs are a major and growing problem for low- and middle-income countries, and that they consume increasingly greater proportions of health care budgets. NCDs are not simply a byproduct of higher incomes and declining infectious disease rates, but are also a major cause of disability and ill health and the leadingcause of preventable and premature mortality in the Americas. NCDs are responsible for significant out-of-pocket health expenditures for individuals and families, as well as substantial health outlays in national budgets. During the last 20 years, many LAC countries have experienced unprecedented economic growth. And in spite of the recent global financial crisis, economic and health indicators have demonstrated overall improvements, especially at the national level. However, NCDs remain a threat to the economic growth and developmental potential of many countries. This is particularly true for low- and middle-income countries that face a greater increase in the NCD burdenas a result of rapidly growing and aging populations. These diseases drive inequity; contribute to poorer economic outcomes for individuals, communities, and societies; and create significant challenges to development. The economic impact of NCDs must be better understood, and their negative consequences for societies mitigated.The impact of NCDs is recognized in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include a target of a one-third reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2030. Achieving that will require an innovative, health-inall-policies approach linking global health, efforts to reduce inequity, the world economy, and national development.The Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in the Americas 2013?2019 of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) emphasizes multisectoral initiatives that will contribute to this target through collaboration with relevant sectors of government and society, and also through integrating those initiativesinto development, academic, and economic agendas.Economic Dimensions of Noncommunicable Diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean recognizes the relationship between NCDs and sociodemographic trends in the LAC region. These include unprecedented rates of urbanization, globalization, rapid population aging, and inadequate health system responses to these changes. This volume provideshealth planners and decision makers with relevant information about how NCDs contribute to economic development and makes a case for greater investments in the prevention and control of chronic conditions.This book also builds on previous evidence and assesses new empirical work, with the goal of influencing NCD policies, program design, and resource allocation at the regional and country level. The volume also recommends specific, concrete actions and calls for an all-of-society approach to address NCDs as both an urgent economic concernand a development issue. With these objectives in mind, Economic Dimensions of Noncommunicable Diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean has been written by PAHO technical advisors and a range of other, specially selected experts, for an audience that ranges from academics and health professionals to policy makers and program managers,as well as the media, lawmakers, and the general public. In preparing this volume, PAHO has collaborated with the World Bank, the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico, and the Disease Control Priorities Project of the Department of Global Health of the University of Washington. PAHO has also engaged eminent researchers from throughout the LAC region. Each article was independently written,based on the knowledge and experiences of the different authors.There is much that the LAC countries can do to prevent NCDs from overwhelming their national budgets. A key step towards preventing and mitigating negative economic outcomes is the integration of NCDs into development and health policy agendas. LAC countries must also revisit and expand their current NCD policies and programs beyond health, by convening all sectors and actors within government and across all strata of society, in order to achieve integrated, collective, collaborative efforts on NCDs.Healthy, productive populations are essential for sustainable development and economic growth. Therefore, it is crucial to optimize both existing and new resources for NCD prevention and control, in order to meet the growing needs in the LAC region. We strongly believe that this book will help the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to reshape their health policy agendas to more effectively address the economic and development challenges linked to noncommunicable diseases.