# Healthcare challenges for aging populations in the Americas > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/healthcare-challenges-for-aging-populations-in-the-americas > Updated: 2026-10-29T19:11:15.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. The Americas are undergoing a demographic transition, with projections indicating that by 2050, approximately 306 million people, or 26.6 percent of the population, will be aged 60 or older. Reports from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) highlight significant gaps in healthcare funding and service implementation. Although the proportion of countries with national policies including long-term care rose from 61 percent in 2020 to 88 percent in 2025, fiscal constraints remain a major obstacle. Only 15 of the 35 PAHO member states currently possess a formal, publicly funded system. Fragmented services have left families to bear the primary burden of care. The economic value of informal care is estimated to be between 0.8 percent and 4.9 percent of annual GDP. To address these challenges, specialists have suggested exploring new financing architectures, such as social impact bonds and public-private partnerships, while emphasizing the need for better data traceability to manage rising healthcare needs. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-29: Americas face long-term care gap as population ages PAHO and the IDB warn that the Americas face a long-term care crisis due to aging populations, fragmented services, and a lack of public funding, leaving families to shoulder most costs. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/americas-face-long-term-care-gap-as-population-ages ### 2026-10-06: Americas face healthcare funding gaps amid rapid population aging As the Americas face a rapid demographic shift toward an aging population, experts urge new healthcare financing models and improved long-term care policies to address significant funding gaps. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/americas-face-healthcare-funding-gaps-amid-rapid-population-aging --- Cite as: Healthcare challenges for aging populations in the Americas. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/healthcare-challenges-for-aging-populations-in-the-americas