Guatemalas General Health Indicators

Guatemala is a unique state with distinct features but is partly affected by worldwide events. The country represents the largest economy in Central America and is neighboring Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador (The World Bank, 2022; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Guatemala has both strengths and weaknesses that can be characterized by various factors, including infant mortality rates, life expectancy, and access to drinking water.

Guatemala can be assessed based on its (GHIs) general health indicators. Main GHIs comprise access to healthcare services, nutrition, environmental quality, violence, social determinants, and mental health (CDC, 2019). GHIs have been affected by the spread of COVID-19, which has ended several years of economic growth in Guatemala (The World Bank, 2022). The pandemic has led to increased poverty and substantial resource gaps for primary health services (The World Bank, 2022; United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund [UNICEF], 2021). Guatemala has one of the highest global malnutrition rates that disproportionally influence Indigenous and rural populations, including children (The World Bank, 2022). Considering its environmental quality, Guatemala is deemed quite exposed to geological and meteorological occurrences and is represented by such topography as active volcanoes, sand beaches, and cloud forests (UNICEF, 2021; Navin & Jentes, 2019). Moreover, the country is challenged by brutality and sexual violence, adolescent pregnancy, and underprioritized mental health issues (UNICEF, 2021). However, although Guatemalas overall vulnerability profile has worsened recently, the state has the potential for positive transformation (The World Bank, 2022; UNICEF, 2021). Guatemalas GHIs seem to need improvements, especially regarding the effects of the pandemic.

Furthermore, the healthcare situation in Guatemala can be better demonstrated through its statistics. For instance, the countrys infant mortality rates are approximately 20.00 per 1000 live births, whereas life expectancy is about 75 years (UNICEF, 2021; The World Bank, 2020a). Adult fatality rates in Guatemala are 108 and 197 per 1000 female and male adults, respectively (The World Bank, 2020b; The World Bank, 2020c). Although Guatemalas current birthweight statistic is unknown, the percentage of low-birthweight babies was 11 in 2015 (The World Bank, 2015). In addition, practically half of all children under the age of five suffer from chronic childhood malnutrition nowadays (The World Bank, 2022). Moreover, while available information on the cause of death is insufficient, intentional homicides are around 17% per 100.000 people, and the country appears endangered by various infections (The World Bank, 2020a; CDC, 2022). Finally, almost 19% of people have insufficient access to drinking water, and nearly 25% lack basic sanitation (UNICEF, 2021). Overall, some demographic data on Guatemala is outdated or absent, but the general statistics demonstrate some aspects of the citizens lives.

The above-described fact and numbers emerge from the conflicting circumstances in the country. For example, UNICEF (2021) suggests that the organization has helped Guatemala establish new child protection offices, expand community-led sanitation, and support the Ministry of Health. Moreover, the state has moderately stable budget deficit and public debt (The World Bank, 2022). Nonetheless, low central government revenues hinder basic public services, such as healthcare and water access, which come alongside poverty and inequality (The World Bank, 2022). Consequently, despite striving to make some improvements, Guatemalas drawbacks appear difficult to overcome.

To summarize, Guatemalas strengths are in its potential to grow with the assistance of international organizations, and some of its general health indicators represent the countrys weaknesses. For instance, while Guatemala has a relatively long life expectancy, many children are diagnosed with chronic malnutrition at a young age. Accordingly, Guatemala can be characterized by various imbalances among its citizens, among whom Indigenous and rural populations seem to be affected the most.