Demographic Trends,Health,and Medical Care in Latin America

Abstract

The relationship of changing demographic characteristics to health status and medical care in Latin America is examined in this article. The rapid demographic growth, high birth and death rates, although with a downward trend, the excessive expansion of the large cities, and the dispersion of the rural population are correlated with the unsatisfactory levels of health and living of the masses of the population, lack of medical care whose quality varies according to social class, and the limitations of the health systems. In the light of this analysis the authors discuss some of the tasks and prospects of the health sector. They contend that the situation described is basically due to inefficient social, economic, and political structures and an unhealthy dependence on external forces. Only radical structural changes will enable millions of Latin Americans to really have access to medical care, health, and life itself, an access which is their inalienable right and which today is denied them.