Known for its long coastline and diverse landscapes, Chile has made significant strides in public health, with an average life expectancy of 81 and continued progress in reducing infant mortality. However, the nation continues to face public health challenges. These include a difficult COVID-19 response, high numbers of cancer deaths and ongoing problems with cardiovascular disease. Here is more information about the diseases impacting Chile and efforts to address them.

Cancer Progress

In recent years, cancer has rivaled cardiovascular disease for the title of leading cause of death in Chile, with 31,440 reported cancer-related deaths in 2022. In response to cancer being one of the most persistent diseases impacting Chile, the government has implemented multiple policies to fight the disease. The government passed laws to lower tobacco use, increase the number of HPV vaccines and facilitate more cancer research and clinical trials within the country.

In 2018, Chile implemented a national cancer plan. The plan focuses on shortcomings in prevention, diagnosis and treatment for patients across the country. Officials saw success with the formation of a national cancer registry and the existing tumor banks, with one example being roughly 700,000 cholecystectomies being performed since the start of the plan.

Cardiovascular Disease Concerns

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in Chile, at around 25% of all deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this number was 33,504 in 2023 – an increase in deaths from 2019. Significant risk factors like hypertension, which affects nearly one in four adults in the country, are often unknown to patients and lead to an increased risk for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). 

The Chilean government has embarked on a mission to increase awareness of hypertension and CVD as a whole. In 2013, the country partnered with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Across the greater South American region, over three million people have received treatment for hypertension as a result of these partnerships. Concrete successes include the creation of public hypertension clinics, expansion of health coverage in the country and increased data collection to ensure patients are identified before cardiovascular disease can develop.

COVID-19 Difficulties

Chile never established a national lockdown, leading quarantine guidelines to be inconsistent in different localities. With more than 5 million total cases and more than 64,000 deaths, Chile was one of the most affected nations in South America. As recently as 2022, the country saw 13,433 COVID-19 deaths, despite having a vaccination rate of 94.62%. 

Although COVID still poses a risk, Chile has demonstrated its ability to mobilize quickly when it comes to vaccinations. The success of vaccine distribution, combined with low vaccine skepticism in the country, means that Chile is equipped to respond more effectively to the next potential pandemic.

Looking Ahead

Chile’s proactive public health policies and investment in health care infrastructure offer a model for other developing nations. The few diseases impacting Chile still have a grip on the population, with preventable deaths in cancer and cardiovascular disease making up more than 50% of deaths in the country. However, Chile has reasons to be optimistic, with progress being made each year when it comes to infrastructure and research in combating these issues. 

– Benjamin Pugh 

Benjamin is based in Kansas City, MO, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr