Approximately 210 million people of African descent live in the Americas, representing 20% of the population. However, the health needs of these groups are often neglected, leading to significant inequities.

A PAHO study published in 2021 on Afro-descendant populations in 18 Latin American countries showed that these groups live in extremely unequal social and economic conditions that affect their health. For example, people of African descent are 2.5 times more likely to live in poverty and often face limited access to health services and higher maternal and infant mortality rates.

«These inequities are rooted in historical exclusion, racism, and discrimination, which contribute to poor health outcomes and perpetuate the precarious living conditions of a significant portion of this population,» the PAHO Director said in a video message to mark the International Day.

«PAHO is committed to improving the health, health equity, and well-being of people of African descent in the Americas,» he added.

PAHO’s actions against racial health inequalities

To address these concerns, in 2017 PAHO Member States approved the first Policy on Ethnicity and Health, and in 2019 the Strategy and Plan of Action on Ethnicity and Health 2019-2025.

Through their implementation, PAHO provides technical support to countries to reduce inequalities and eliminate barriers in access to health services for people of African descent. Recently, PAHO organized three subregional consultations on health equity with Afro-descendants and, together with the Government of Brazil, a regional event on ethnic and racial health inequalities.

The recommendations emerging from these meetings underscore the importance of generating evidence, exchanging good practices, adopting policies, empowering social participation, and recognizing ancestral knowledge to improve the health of this population group.

«On this Day, PAHO calls on its Member States to continue advancing the Strategy and Plan of Action on Ethnicity and Health,» Dr. Barbosa said in his message.

He reiterated the Organization’s commitment «to promoting an intersectoral and intercultural approach with a human rights, gender, and social determinants of health focus to achieve equity and well-being for all peoples in the Americas.»

The International Day of People of African Descent recognizes the contributions of the African diaspora worldwide, and seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent and to protect their human rights, including the right to health.