Health and

economic
systems
Spain,/ Graph 1: Life expectancy/ Graph 2: Health expenditure as % of
GDP/
Guatemala, Life expectancy and health expenditure as % of GDP
Nicaragua Life expectancy and health expenditure as % of GDP
Why the life expectancy in Centro America is growing even if the health expenditure as % of GDP is
decreasing in some countries?

• It could be explained because infant mortality is decreasing

drastically among other factors.

• More reasons?
 Out of pocket expenditure in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Haiti
(The expenses that the patient or the family pays directly to the health care provider, without a
third-party (insurer, or State))
Out of pocket
expenditure in Spain
Comparison Guatemala/Sierra Leone:

• Guatemala:

1. GDP per capita: 8995

2. Prevalence of undernourishment: 10.8
• Sierra Leone:

1. GDP per capita: 1789

2. Prevalence of undernourishment: 25.6

Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, in spite of the quality of its natural resources, income inequality
and social disturbs results in a very high rate of undernourishment.
In the case of Guatemala, it is not the poorest country in Central America but it has the highest rate of undernourishment.