Argentina

Although Argentina has the potential to offer its population of 39,921,833 a comfortable lifestyle with relatively good health, the country is currently suffering economically. Negative growth and investment skepticism are by-products of inflation, external debt, capital flight, and budget deficits. With a per capita income of $13,700, Argentina ranks 69th of 233 countries in world income. The private sector furnishes 51.4 percent of healthcare costs in Argentina, and 55.6 percent of that amount is out-of-pocket expenses. Workers’ unions continue to play an important role in the Argentine health sector, and at least 300 organizations provide healthcare coverage. Some 5 percent of total government expenditures are directed toward healthcare. Nearly 9 percent of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is allotted to healthcare, and the government spends $2,067 (international dollars) per capita on healthcare. Around 49 percent of total healthcare expenditures derive from the government, and 56.8 percent of that amount is spent on social security benefits. There are 3.01 physicians, 0.80 nurses, 0.80 dentists, and 0.42 pharmacists per 1,000 population in Argentina.

Free healthcare is provided to the poorest segment of the population. Around three-fourths of workers’ families are covered under government plans, but higher-income Argentines depend on the private sector for coverage. Approximately 63 percent of the over-60 population is covered under pension plans, but critics claim that insufficient benefits often make retirees newly poor. The government has tried a variety of programs to meet the health and social needs of the poor. For instance, the National Food Plan (PAN), which delivered food boxes directly to the poor, was replaced with a voucher system that failed to accomplish its goals. Subsequently, responsibility for providing basic needs was shifted to the provinces. Overall, the government has committed itself to improving health, and increased spending has resulted in improved health indicators.

Despite government commitment, 38.5 percent of the population live in poverty, and 3 percent of Argentines survive on less than $1 a day. Unemployment stands at 11.6 percent. Around 97 percent of the people have sustained access to safe drinking water. Argentines have a life expectancy of 76.12 years, with women outliving men by an average of seven years. The population is highly literate (97.1 percent), and enrollment in primary and secondary schools is universal. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Reports rank Argentina 36th of 177 countries on overall quality-of-life issues.

Argentina ranks in the middle (134 of 225 countries) in infant mortality, with a current rate of 14.73 deaths per 1,000 live births. Maternal health (82 deaths per 100,000 live births) is also a major issue in the country, and efforts have been made at both the national and provincial level to make women and children less vulnerable. However, such programs as PROMIN, the mother–child nutritional program, have run into policy and implementation problems. On average, each woman gives birth to 2.16 children. Nearly three-fourths of Argentine women use some method of birth control. This is largely a result of the Sexual Health and Responsible Parenthood initiative established in 2003, which provides free contraceptives. The program focuses on education and on prevention of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. At least 99 percent of deliveries are attended by skilled personnel, and 98 percent of women receive prenatal care.

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