International Perspectives: Chile

Abstract

In the past 50 years, Chile has transitioned from an underdeveloped to a developing country with important improvements in health indicators. The creation of a National Health Service with hospitals and health centers across the country, in addition to national health programs are the main factors behind this achievement. The decrease of infant mortality has led to an increase in the number of vulnerable infants with disorders that evolve to chronic conditions and compromised quality of life. In Chile, 12.9 % of the population has some degree of disability and 9 % has intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). Since 1994 several policies and laws have been enacted to protect children and adults with disabilities. Also, in 2008 Chile ratified the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” of the United Nations. During the past 10–20 years, governmental health programs for health promotion and protection of children’s rights have been created. These programs are aimed at underprivileged groups, including children with IDD. In Chile there are health surveillance programs for preterm children (PT) and for children with Down syndrome (DS). The growing group of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) needs more attention; at the time of writing, there is no special health program for them. Currently a National Health Program for Children has been developed including new recommendations for the care of children with IDD. However there are still inequities in the access to quality health care attention and therapies especially in regions far from the capital city. Some rehabilitation services are available for children with IDD, they mostly consist of physical and occupational therapy, and there is a big need of early intervention services.