Colombia is a resource-rich country in the north of South America that is diverse and full of contrasts. Considering their challenging history, the nation has grown to become more resilient in terms of democracy and culture. Colombia is the world’s 55th largest exporter, with about $41 billion in exports to foreign markets. However, diseases impacting Colombia continue to be a serious threat as a whole, mainly due to its tropical climate and low awareness of some diseases which play a role in making the country more vulnerable to a variety of illnesses.

Understanding the difference between communicable and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is crucial to comprehending the illnesses that most commonly impact Colombia. Diabetes and cancer are examples of NCDs, which have a tendency to spread slowly. On the other hand, communicable illnesses such as TB or measles are more contagious and easier to transmit. 

NCDs

According to data from 2014, NCDs were responsible for 71% of Colombian deaths, with injuries and other incidents accounting for the remaining 17%. The three primary NCDs in Colombia as of 2014 were diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular illnesses.

In Colombia, 28% of all deaths were from cardiovascular diseases, with men dying at a higher rate than women. Furthermore, a report indicated that 35,000 Colombians lost their lives to cancer in 2014. By 2035, cancer-related mortality may rise by 31%, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Additionally, diabetes claimed the lives of almost 19,000 Colombians in 2015, making up 10% of all fatalities in the nation that year. One million more people in Colombia may have diabetes without a diagnosis, making it one of the most underdiagnosed conditions that are impacting Colombia. 

NCDs were responsible for 22% of premature deaths among people under the age of 70. A report stated that Government health spending as a percentage of GDP rose from 5.4% in 2003 to 6.8% in 2013, indicating that NCDs have apparently had a significant economic impact on Colombia. Furthermore, individual health expenditure has also increased from $133.59 in 2002 to $569.19 in 2015 as a result of the rise of NCDs within the country. 

Communicable Diseases

Due to Colombia’s tropical environment and a lack of awareness about the seriousness of some diseases, communicable diseases impacting Colombia including malaria, HIV and tuberculosis (TB) are more common and transmit quickly among people.

According to Reports, in 2022 alone, TB affected 32 out of every 100,000 individuals, with a fatality rate of 2.4 per 100, 000. Within the same year, there were 25 HIV diagnoses for every 100, 000 people, resulting in a total 5.1 deaths per 100,000. However, one should note that in recent years, the HIV rate has dropped by 7.4%. This can be credited to Colombia’s strong and growing health sector. But due to its tropical climate, Colombia, like many other nations, the ever-increasing malaria sickness plagues it. Up until 2019, Colombia recorded between 60,000 to 80,000 cases of malaria annually for almost 10 years.

Despite being more contagious, communicable diseases typically have more treatments and medications available. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Colombia Healthcare sector as the 22nd best in the world, ahead of the United States and Australia. The government allocates 20% of its budget on health care, increasing access to care for individuals from a variety of circumstances.

Unemployment and Poverty in Colombia

Unemployment and the expenditures of health care for both individuals and families are two important elements to take into account when examining how poverty in Colombia contributes to a higher rate of illness infection. One major contributing cause to poverty is unemployment with Colombia’s unemployment rate currently at 9.1% at the moment, but it has remained constant since 2023. Since 9.1% of the population is unemployed, the majority cannot afford the present health care costs, which as of 2022 total $558 per individual.

A report showed that 19 million Colombians lived on just $97,94 a month in that same year. Alongside this is undernourishment, which has been a growing problem in Colombia, especially for women and in 2019, 88% of unemployed people, or 8% of the population, were undernourished. Furthermore, since inadequate nutrition is known to affect or weaken immune systems, more people are vulnerable to illnesses with the bulk of the unemployed population undernourished. Eventually, it leads to high health care costs, which furthers poverty.

The Colombian Government’s Efforts

The Colombian government introduced a national strategy to accomplish the “eradication and elimination” of the most contagious communicable illnesses in May 2024. It is strategy to improve the efficiency of medical care and expand public health services for Colombians. By 2035, the goal is to eradicate 30 additional communicable diseases; the eradication plan includes diseases that are impacting Colombia, such as HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. In order to accomplish its objectives, the Colombian government has established the “One Health” approach, which attempts to close the gap between communities and medicine. The Colombian government intends to pool medical resources in order to fully implement this policy, making it more efficient and providing services that benefit everybody. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection hopes that the one health strategy, which just originated in 2024, will yield benefits soon.

Looking Ahead

The health landscape in Colombia is shaped by both communicable and NCDs, each posing significant challenges to the nation’s well-being. NCDs such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular illnesses are leading causes of death and economic burden, contributing to premature mortality and escalating healthcare costs. At the same time, communicable diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and HIV remain persistent threats, exacerbated by Colombia’s tropical climate and limited awareness in some areas. These diseases disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, especially those living in poverty and facing unemployment, further straining the healthcare system.

However, the country’s resilient health sector and government initiatives, such as the “One Health” strategy, offer hope for tackling diseases impacting Colombia. By focusing on prevention, treatment, and greater accessibility to health care, Colombia aims to improve health outcomes and eradicate many infectious diseases in the coming decades. As the country continues to navigate these health complexities, effective policy interventions and improved public awareness will be key in reducing the impact of both communicable and NCDs on the Colombian population.

– Zacc Katusiime

Zacc is based in Kampala, Uganda and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr