A new regional report has found that people with disabilities across Latin America and the Caribbean continue to face significant barriers in accessing healthcare and emergency services, despite progress in disability rights policies and legal frameworks. The report, released by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and the Inter-American Network of Persons with Disabilities and Their Families (RIADIS), highlights ongoing gaps in inclusive health systems and emergency management.
The report, titled “Disability Inclusion in Health Systems and Emergency Management in Latin America and the Caribbean,” examines experiences from ten countries and calls for stronger integration of disability inclusion into healthcare policies, emergency preparedness plans, information systems, and service delivery.
According to the findings, people with disabilities experience higher levels of poverty, social exclusion, and unequal access to essential services. They are up to 45% less likely to receive care for cardiovascular disease and diabetes and 33% less likely to access screening services such as HPV testing. In some cases, people with intellectual disabilities may have life expectancies up to 20 years shorter than others.
The report identifies several structural challenges affecting inclusion, including fragmented health data systems, services that are not designed around diverse needs, limited disability training for healthcare workers, and emergency plans that lack practical measures to ensure accessibility and continuity of care.
Geographic inequalities also remain a major concern, with inclusive health services often concentrated in urban areas while rural and remote communities continue to face limited access. The report emphasizes that progress in policies must be matched by effective implementation to ensure people with disabilities can access healthcare throughout their lives.
The organizations behind the report recommend strengthening disability-inclusive health policies, improving accessible data collection, expanding reasonable accommodations in healthcare facilities, and ensuring the active participation of organizations representing people with disabilities.
The report also stresses that disability inclusion is essential for building stronger and more resilient health systems capable of responding to population ageing, chronic diseases, and increasing emergency risks across the region.
