PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa noted persistent inequalities in access to Reproductive Health across the Caribbean and Latin America and emphasized the need for universal health & to protect human rights

Despite improvements in reproductive health service coverage, reaching over 81% of the population, significant inequalities persist both between and within countries in the Americas, according to Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. Speaking during a regional meeting on the Day of Action for Women's Health, Dr. Barbosa emphasized the urgent need to address these disparities to achieve universal health and protect human rights. 
 
Dr. Barbosa noted that vulnerable populations face greater barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services, resulting in systematically worse outcomes for these groups. He highlighted that tackling these inequities is essential for promoting gender equality, combating discrimination, and improving social determinants of health. 
 
PAHO's report, "State of Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services," presented to the Directing Council in September 2023, outlines the current state of reproductive health in the region, health policy responses, and access barriers.  
 
It offers evidence-based measures to improve the situation, revealing significant disparities in access to long-acting contraceptives across Latin America and the Caribbean. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, causing millions of women to discontinue use due to disruptions in public provision and economic hardships.  ​