Health in Peru

Since Peru gained independence, the country's major healthcare concern has shifted to the disparity in care between the poor and non-poor, as well as between rural and urban populations.

[2] When looking at the right to health with respect to children, Peru achieves 97.0% of what is expected based on its current income.

[2] In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves only 91.9% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income.

Even before Francisco Pizarro arrived on the coast of Peru, the Spaniards had spread diseases such as smallpox, malaria, typhus, influenza, and the common cold to the people of South America.

In 2010, the World Health Organization collected data about the life expectancy of people living in Peru.

Marginalized groups, such as individuals living in rural areas and indigenous populations, are especially at risk for health related issues.

Furthermore, the Peruvian government has yet to devote significant amounts of resources to improving the quality and access to care in rural areas.