[EQ] Health Situation in the Americas - Basic Indicators 2008

Health Situation in the Americas - Basic Indicators 2008

 

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)

 

            Available online:
            English: http://devserver.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=308&Itemid=

            Spanish: http://devserver.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=307&Itemid=

 

“……..Information on 56 basic indicators for 48 countries and territories, as well as for groupings of countries or sub-regions. This year the publication includes an analysis of the quality of mortality data based on the proportion of mortality under-registration and on the proportion of deaths assigned to ill-defined and unknown causes. This information was used to develop an index for classifying the quality of mortality data.

 

The results show that of the 32 countries studied, 19 (59%) have good quality mortality data, and 7 countries (22%) have poor or very poor quality mortality data. In addition to problems with data quality, 2 countries from Central America and 14 Caribbean countries were excluded from the analysis due to their critical situation in the availability of mortality data.

 

There is also a comparison between estimated infant and maternal mortality using the World Health Organization methodology and those calculated from data reported by the countries. This comparison allows for better visualization of differences between different ways of measuring the same indicator and provides a parameter for discussing the validity of these important health indicators.

 

Information required for decision-making must be available, but also accurate and timely. In this publication we want to emphasize those aspects that reveal differences in the quality of data observed among the different countries in the Region. By doing so, it is expected that those responsible for health statistics in the countries of the Americas will be encouraged to implement improvements in the collection, validation, analysis and dissemination of data….”

[Mirta Roses Periago PAHO Director]

 

 

 

 

For more information:

Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control (HSD) - Health Information and Analysis (HA)

Pan American Health Organization PAHO/WHO - 525 Twenty-third St., N.W. - Washington, D.C., 20037, USA

 

 

 

      *      *     *
This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ KMC Area]

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAHO/WHO website: http://66.101.212.219/equity/
Equity List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html

 

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.