* Since the last assessment in 2024, updated information became available that required a change in the baseline.
EOB 2024-2025
IMPACT INDICATOR
Rate of mortality amenable to health care (MAHR)
Baseline
2018
91.83 deaths per 100 000 population*
Target
2025
77.6 deaths per 100,000 population
Status
2021
94.47 deaths per 100 000 population
Rating
Stagnating
% annual change required to achieve target
-2.41%
% annual change recorded as of last year available
0.94%
The indicator is useful for assessing the potential impact of health care on population health, based on the assumption that some premature deaths should not occur in the presence of timely and effective medical interventions. In other words, the causes of such deaths are considered treatable and therefore avoidable through the provision of appropriate medical care.
Long-term regional trends for this indicator show a steady overall reduction of 25% between 2000 and the baseline year of 2018, declining from 121.7 to 91.8 deaths per 100 000 population, equivalent to an average annual reduction of 1.6%. This trend subsequently reversed, however, with the rate rising to 94.5 in 2021, the most recent year for which data are available, corresponding to an average annual increase of 1.8%. The rate is projected to resume its decline and reach 90.0 deaths per 100 000 population by 2025, well above the 2025 target of 77.6. Therefore, the target was not achieved and progress is stagnating.
The trend likely reflects disruptions in access to and quality of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with persistent gaps in service availability and limitations in data on mortality and cause of death.
The leading treatable causes of death in the Region include specific neonatal and maternal conditions, tuberculosis, breast and cervical cancers, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. Addressing these will be essential to improving performance on this indicator in the future, as it continues to be monitored under the PAHO Strategic Plan 2026–2031.
Recommendations
Adopt approaches validated by the Bureau for estimating mortality data in countries to enhance monitoring capabilities for this indicator.
Invest in the implementation of critical health care quality interventions, especially in countries with disproportionately high rates of mortality amenable to health care.
Strengthen primary health care networks and referral systems to reduce delays in diagnosis, treatment, and continuity of care, especially among populations and territories facing the greatest barriers to access.