DR needs to drastically improve its palliative care services
The Dominican Republic has the lowest ranking of all Latin American countries surveyed in the 2015 Quality of Death Index, released on 7 October 2015 by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). With a relatively young population, the issue of aging with dignity has not been a priority on public health agenda.
The ranking measures the quality of palliative care in 80 countries around the world. Its ranking is due to comprehensive national policies, the extensive integration of palliative care into the national health service, a strong hospice movement, and deep community engagement on the issue.
The report determined that there is no government-led strategy for the development and promotion of national palliative care.
Other Latin American countries ranked are Chile (27th), Costa Rica (29th), Panama (31st), Argentina (32nd), Cuba (36th), Uruguay (39th), Ecuador (40th), Brazil (42nd), Mexico (43rd), Venezuela (45th), Puerto Rico (46th), Peru (49th), Colombia (68th) and Guatemala (74th).
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) developed the index in 2010 to assess the availability, affordability and quality of end-of-life care in 40 countries, expanding it to 80 countries for 2015 and focusing on palliative care for adults. The study, commissioned by the Lien Foundation, was the first that objectively ranked countries in the provision of palliative and end-of-life care.
The Quality of Death Index is meant to be used as a framework in identifying palliative care issues at the national level, with the opportunity for countries to compare provision with countries in the same region or income groups. It can also be used to assess demand for palliative care, which can support planning of future quality and affordable palliative care.
Download the complete report at:
http://www.economistinsights.com/healthcare/analysis/quality-death-index-2015
The Dominican Republic has the lowest ranking of all Latin American countries surveyed in the 2015 Quality of Death Index, released on 7 October 2015 by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). With a relatively young population, the issue of aging with dignity has not been a priority on public health agenda.
The ranking measures the quality of palliative care in 80 countries around the world. Its ranking is due to comprehensive national policies, the extensive integration of palliative care into the national health service, a strong hospice movement, and deep community engagement on the issue.
The report determined that there is no government-led strategy for the development and promotion of national palliative care.
Other Latin American countries ranked are Chile (27th), Costa Rica (29th), Panama (31st), Argentina (32nd), Cuba (36th), Uruguay (39th), Ecuador (40th), Brazil (42nd), Mexico (43rd), Venezuela (45th), Puerto Rico (46th), Peru (49th), Colombia (68th) and Guatemala (74th).
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) developed the index in 2010 to assess the availability, affordability and quality of end-of-life care in 40 countries, expanding it to 80 countries for 2015 and focusing on palliative care for adults. The study, commissioned by the Lien Foundation, was the first that objectively ranked countries in the provision of palliative and end-of-life care.
The Quality of Death Index is meant to be used as a framework in identifying palliative care issues at the national level, with the opportunity for countries to compare provision with countries in the same region or income groups. It can also be used to assess demand for palliative care, which can support planning of future quality and affordable palliative care.
Download the complete report at:
http://www.economistinsights.com/healthcare/analysis/quality-death-index-2015