Health in the Americas

The Region of the Americas has made major health gains. People are living longer: life expectancy in 2023 reached 77.1 years, surpassing the pre-pandemic level of 76.7 years in 2019. People are also living healthier lives, although improvements in health have been slower than gains in longevity.

About 40% of health loss in the Americas could potentially be averted when compared with levels of health loss observed in better-performing countries globally. The gap is largest in countries with weaker health systems, lower incomes, and greater inequality.

Limited budgets make priority-setting more urgent. Country decisions about where to invest should be based on health needs and consider cost-effective interventions. Decisions should also be made transparent to the public and be updated regularly. 

Setting priorities is important, but sustaining impact requires effective stewardship and governance. Countries need strong leadership to build priorities into day-to-day health system operations, link them to funding decisions, and adapt them as circumstances change.

Five key opportunities can guide country action