“Indigenous, Roma, Afro-descendant and members of other ethnic groups face greater challenges to their health, resulting in higher rates of mortality and morbidity than the general population
Washington, DC, September 26, 2017 (PAHO/WHO)- Ministers of health from the countries of the Americas committed to combat the barriers to health faced by indigenous, Afro-descendant and Roma peoples with the approval today of a new ethnicity and health policy.
Poor health outcomes among different ethnic groups are common in the Americas. Maternal and infant mortality is consistently higher among indigenous and Afro-descendant groups. In some countries, HIV infection rates are more than nine times higher among Afro-descendants than Caucasians, and malnutrition among indigenous children is higher than among the general population. These populations also tend to have higher rates of violence against women and suicide, says the new policy.
The health disparities faced by different ethnic groups are the result of various barriers to health services, including geographical, financial and cultural.”
Policy on Ethnicity and Health DOWNLOAD PDF
