# Global palliative care access inequalities

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-palliative-care-access-inequalities
> Updated: 2026-11-04T05:41:36.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Reports indicate significant disparities in access to palliative care across different regions. In Spain, healthcare responses for families facing fatal neonatal prognoses are inconsistent. Less than one-third of Spanish hospitals offer complete perinatal palliative care programs, and only half of those initiate care at the time of diagnosis. Experts suggest that care quality often depends on specific hospitals or individual professional sensitivity rather than a structured system.

In Latin America, social and economic disparities drive challenges in accessing palliative care. In Argentina, despite the enactment of National Palliative Care Law No. 27,678 in 2022, inequalities persist regarding medication availability and specialized resources. Similarly, in Mexico, gaps in specialized services exist outside major cities, complicating pain management for patients and caregivers.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-04: Inequality in access to palliative care persists in Latin America

Social and economic inequalities create significant barriers to palliative care in Argentina and Mexico, leaving many patients without adequate pain management or specialized support.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inequality-in-access-to-palliative-care-persists-in-latin-america

### 2026-10-18: Inconsistent perinatal palliative care access in Spain

Less than one-third of Spanish hospitals provide complete perinatal palliative care, creating significant regional inequality for the 5,000 families facing infant loss annually.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inconsistent-perinatal-palliative-care-access-in-spain

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Cite as: Global palliative care access inequalities. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-palliative-care-access-inequalities