HEALTH CARE OF LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES


1.0 Background of the Study


            Health care is defined in American Heritage Dictionary as “the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professionals”. Health care is one of the basic needs of an individual and everyone must be entitled to it. In the past two decades Latin American countries have experienced major sociopolitical changes and economic crises. These changes, as well as ones in the epidemiology of major causes of morbidity and mortality, have been associated with changes in health care systems (  2000). People from all walks of life are entitled to a fair healthcare. It must be provided to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. Most countries in Latin America have public health care provided and Mexico is planning to launch its own universal health care network though at the moment the standards of health care in Mexico are seriously lacking with large divides between rich and poor (2006).


Moreover, compared to other countries, some health risks are more prominent in Mexico because of its culture and lifestyle. Mexico has shown increasing health problems with pesticide use. It has become an area of major concern for states like Chiapas where 58% of the population is involved in agricultural work and pesticide use (1997). The government should have a platform for the people to acquire knowledge about health concerns.


2.0 Statement of the Problem


            The achievement of providing fair health care to all is the main issue here. Advances in medicine and increasing health knowledge have increased the life expectancy by 25 years in the second half of the century. The health of Latin Americans has increased in the last four generations, but still there are millions of citizens who do not have regular access to health care services.  


What the local government of Latin American countries as well as the local people is doing in social protection would be the key in combating the threats to health. Providing utmost health care to every citizen should be the primary goal of the government. Collective awareness, then, is important for the local communities residing in this area.  


 


3.0 Objectives of the Study


            The main purpose of this study is to analyze the several factors that jeopardizes effective health care system. This research, specifically, purports to determine how these activities affect the people within the Latin America and the government having jurisdiction in protecting and informing citizens of their responsibilities and their rights. This research will take into account the health reforms that affect the lives of the citizens. It will assess political and economic context of the reform period which drastically changed their health care system.  It also aims to recognize the environmental, social and cultural understanding of the people in dealing with health concerns.


4.0 Research Methodology


This study will use the descriptive type of research. A descriptive research intends to present facts concerning the nature and status of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to describe present conditions, events or systems based on the impressions or reactions of the respondents of the research (1994). It is also concerned with relationships and practices that exist, beliefs and processes that are ongoing, effects that are being felt, or trends that are developing (1970).


In this study, primary and secondary research will be used to help them understand more about the issue, the underlying factors that resulted to the problem and the different variables that is involve in it. The primary data for the study will be represented by the survey results that will be acquired from the respondents. Qualitative data will be used on discussing health care systems, as well as a more-quantitative analysis of household surveys of health service utilization. On the other hand, the literature reviews to be presented in the second chapter of the study will represent the secondary data of the study. This will include in-depth discussion of the Latin America’s health care and the impact it has on the citizens. 


The research will be presented in written form with the addition of data charts which will present the data’s results. Pie and network charts and bar graphs will be needed to illustrate some of the analyzed information to compare the transformations in the methods of delivering quality health care.


 


 



Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com


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