OECD data shows one in three people live with chronic diseases

According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), one in three people globally lives with a chronic disease or long-term health condition. Common pathologies include hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, and mental health disorders.

A study by the Zurich Insurance Group, which analyzed 38 OECD member countries, highlights that while premature mortality has decreased, many individuals now live for decades with these conditions. This shift presents significant new challenges for healthcare systems, the private sector, and society at large.

The report emphasizes a critical need to shift healthcare investment toward prevention, early detection, and continuous monitoring. Currently, many nations allocate a disproportionately small amount of their health budgets to preventive strategies compared to the treatment of established diseases. In Latin America, the impact varies by country; Chile, Colombia, and Costa Rica show a lower burden due to younger populations, whereas Mexico faces more complex challenges regarding the impact of these conditions.