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Health in the Americas 2022

Health in the Americas 2022

Health in the Americas
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Aruba - Country Profile

By PAHO/OPS,

The Health in the Americas+ country profiles are based on the interagency indicators available as of the dates referenced. In some cases, the values of the indicators may differ from the most recent data available in the country.

Environmental and social determinants of health

In 2000 the total population of Aruba was 88 761 inhabitants; by 2024 this figure had risen to 108 066, representing a 21.7% increase. Regarding the country’s demographic profile, in 2024 people over 65 years of age accounted for 17.1% of the total population, an increase of 10.3 percentage points compared to the year 2000. In 2024, there were 111.7 women per 100 men and 101.3 older people (65 years or older) per 100 children under 15 years of age, as can be seen in the country’s population pyramids, distributed by age group and sex (Figure 1). Considering the population between 15 and 64 years of age to be potentially active (i.e., potential participants in the labor force), this group represented 66.1% of the total population of the country in 2024 ( 71 430 people). When we add these figures to the potentially passive population (18 204 under 15 years of age and 18 432 over 65 years of age), the result is a dependency ratio of 51.3 potentially passive people per 100 potentially active people. This ratio was 43.3 in 2000.

Life expectancy at birth in 2024 was 76.5 years, lower than the average for the Region of the Americas and 3.6 years higher that in 2000 (72.9).

Figure 1. Population pyramids of Aruba, years 2000 and 2024

Between 2000 and 2010, the average number of years of schooling in Aruba decreased by 2.8%, reaching an average of 8.4 years in the latest year for which information is available. The literacy rate was 99.5% in 2020. In men, this figure was 99.4%; in women, 99.6%.

Digital coverage

In 2017, 97.2% of the population had an internet connection, representing a considerable increase from 2000, when 15.4% of the population had an internet connection.

Health situation

Maternal and child health

Between 2000 and 2019, infant mortality in Aruba decreased from 5 to 1 deaths per 1000 live births, a decrease of 80.0% (Figure 4). The percentage of low-weight births (less than 2500 g) decreased from 7.7% to 7.3% between 2009 and 2020.

Regarding the immunization strategy, measles vaccination coverage was 92% in 2022, a decrease of 3 percentage points from 2000.

In relation to fertility, it is estimated that in 2024 women had an average of 1.6 children throughout their reproductive lives. In the specific case of adolescent fertility, there was a 58.8% decrease, from 43.7 live births per 1000 women aged 15 to 19 years in 2000 to 18.0 in 2024. In 2020, 100% of births were attended by skilled birth personnel. Between 2000 and 2020 the percentage of pregnant people who received antenatal care remained unchanged at 100%.

Figure 2. Infant mortality per 1000 live births, 1999–2019

Communicable diseases

In 2022, there were 5 new cases of tuberculosis per 100 000 population in Aruba.

In 2020, the estimated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection incidence rate (new diagnoses) was 38.2 per 100 000 population.

The sources of the interagency indicators used in this profile can be found in this table.

For the latest data on health indicators for the Region of the Americas, be sure to visit the PAHO Core Indicators portal.

Country COVID-19 Perspective

Measures to achieve universal health coverage

In response to these health priorities, the Government of Aruba has developed a National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases (2020–2030), with the following 10-year goal: "By 2030, increase the protective factors for NCDs, while reducing the modifiable risk factors, using an evidence-based approach through multi-sectoral actions to enable sustained behavior change with a particular focus on prevention." The guiding principles include a commitment to universal health coverage, health equity, and multisectoral solutions (health in all policies). Implementation is driven by four strategic goals: (1) establishing effective leadership and governance for the implementation of a Strategic Multi-Sectoral Action Plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases; (2) strengthening noncommunicable disease surveillance, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and decision-making as part of the national information systems for health; (3) reducing noncommunicable disease risk factors, promoting protective factors, and addressing the social determinants of health; and (4) strengthening the integration of preventative and curative services for the effective management of noncommunicable diseases, including self-management. Equitable access to health care is a central aspect of the associated Aruba National Strategic Plan (2020–2022), which advocates for equitable and direct access to basic services, including health. It specifically aims to address the needs of populations in situations of vulnerability in society, including strengthening mental health support, and child protection frameworks.

Challenges related to population health

The health systems in the Dutch Caribbean largely mirror that of the Netherlands. The general practitioner is the first point of contact and is the cornerstone of primary health care. In Aruba, the responsibility for ensuring quality health care and developing legislation, guidelines, and policy falls within the remit of the Ministry of Health, while the Netherlands oversees the operations of the hospitals and other clinical services provided on the island. Aruba's population is aging, and the increasing proportion of older adults is predicted to continue. In 2020, the proportion of Aruba's population aged 65 and older was 15.0%. This proportion is predicted to rise further to 22.3% by 2040, and to 26.1% by 2060. Over the period 1999–2017, noncommunicable diseases were the leading cause of death in Aruba. Overall, the top four causes of death were cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. In women, the top four causes of death were cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and breast cancer, while the top four for men were ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, and diabetes. Morbidity data in Aruba remain less accessible, with self-reported information available from the population census. The 2010 census recorded one chronic health condition reported by about 32% of the population; with about 50% of persons over the age of 65 reporting at least one chronic condition.

References

1. Pan American Health Organization. Health in the Americas+. Washington, DC: PAHO; 2022. Available from: https://hia.paho.org

2. Ministerio Di Turismo, Salubridad Publico y Deporte. National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases (2020–2030).

3. Government of Aruba. Nos Plan, Nos Futuro National Strategic Plan 2020–2022. Government of Aruba; 2020. Available from: https://www.deaci.aw/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FINAL-NSP-REPORT-STRATEGY-10202020.pdf.

4. United States Census Bureau. International database: world population estimates and projections. United States Census Bureau; 2021 [cited 15 September 2022]. Available from: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/international-programs/about/idb.html.

5. Department of Public Health Aruba. Data on the 4 major NCDs. Oranjestad: Epidemiology and Research Unit; 2019.

6. Repositioning our sails: Aruba's mission driven model for economic recovery & resilience. Oranjestad: Government of Aruba; 2020. Available from: https://www.repositioningoursails.com/MasterPlan_RepositioningOurSails.pdf.

7. Pan American Health Organization. PAHO Annual Report 2020 Universal Health and the Pandemic – Resilient Health Systems. Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. Washington, DC: PAHO; 2021. Available from: https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/54563.