Jesús Adrián Álvarez
Actuary and Doctor of Public Health, Actuarial Manager at Ernst & Young (EY) in Denmark
The article provides a global view of health and mortality, highlighting persistent inequalities both across and within countries. Although not entirely new, the findings reaffirm the deep disparities in life expectancy and causes of death worldwide.
In Latin America, these contrasts are especially pronounced. Some nations now match European life expectancy levels, while others remain far behind. Chronic diseases —such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes— dominate the health burden, reflecting the rise of non-communicable conditions.
Among Latin American men, high rates of homicide among young adults add a critical layer to this burden. This exposes a paradox: despite major investments in healthcare and social welfare, violence continues to erode the region’s life expectancy.
Lasting progress will depend on narrowing inequalitie, sustaining healthcare advances while addressing the social and structural roots of premature mortality.