The health of women in Latin America and the Caribbean

ABSTRACT

This report seeks to contribute to the debate about health policy and program design in Latin America and the Caribbean by focusing on the special topic of women's health. It aims to provide governments and program designers with information about priority needs in the region, and on how policies can yield optimal results. The report, which summarizes more than a dozen original background studies, represents the collaborative effort of three partners - the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). In addition, three regional consultations, sponsored by the IDB, were conducted in collaboration with the Population Council, Latin America and the Caribbean Office, to gain a deeper understanding of the issues related to reproductive health policy in the region. The study has two main objectives: (1) To analyze trends and differentials in women's health; examples of good practices in delivery and financing of women's health programs; and the key dimensions of women's health that are relevant for the health reforms currently underway in Latin America. (2) To provide guidance for governments and progam designers in addressing the most pressing causes of women's ill health, within the context of broader sectoral and national policies (AU)