Chronic Diseases, Primary Care and Health Systems Performance: Diagnostics, Tools and Interventions

ABSTRACT

Growing exposure to risk factors in combination with low levels of access to preventive care are increasing unmet health needs. LAC has been experiencing a "nutrition transition" towards less healthy diets. Thirty to sixty percent of the region's population does not achieve the minimum recommended levels of physical activity and obesity is rising rapidly. Inadequate access to high quality health services, including clinical prevention and diagnostic services and difficult access to essential medicines are significant contributing factors to the growing burden of chronic disease.