The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep vulnerabilities in primary health care (PHC) systems across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Fragile infrastructures, limited resources, and workforce shortages left millions at risk as essential services—such as immunizations, maternal care, and chronic disease management—were disrupted. Although the region represents only 8% of the global population, it suffered nearly 30% of all COVID-19 deaths, underscoring the urgent need for resilient and equitable PHC systems capable of withstanding future shocks and safeguarding population health.
In The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, a study by Tharindi Wickramaarachchi, Rachel Riera, Mauricio L. Barreto, Felipe J. Heusser, Sebastián García-Saisó, and Zulma Ortiz presents a comprehensive model quantifying the potential health and economic costs of inaction in strengthening PHC resilience across 33 LAC countries. Their findings estimate that future service disruptions could cost up to US$37 billion—making sustained PHC investment a public health and economic imperative.