Panama, a country with a developing healthcare system, faces several challenges despite positive demographic indicators. According to the Eighth Quality of Life Report, presented by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) and the Panamá ¡cuéntame! observatory, the population perceives itself as mostly healthy but vulnerable, especially among lower-income sectors. There is a chronic shortage of medicines in the public system, unlike the private sector. The public health system is the main provider of services out of necessity, not preference. Prevention is not part of the routine for Panamanians, and the use of digital services is limited. In cases of domestic violence, medical care is adequate when received, but few people access the system. Panama records a life expectancy at birth of 80 years, superior to the regional average of 76 years. The country also maintains high vaccination coverage, with most national scheme vaccines reaching or exceeding 80%, and in 2023, 99.7% of births were attended by specialized personnel. However, the study highlights significant gaps between urban and rural areas, especially in indigenous comarcas and some provinces, where problems such as child malnutrition, adolescent pregnancies, and a higher incidence of chronic diseases are concentrated. "Not all Panamanians experience health in the same way. These inequalities have real consequences on the quality of life and must be addressed with urgency," said CCIAP President Juan Arias. In mental health, the report identifies it as a growing and still underaddressed problem. "The increase in cases of anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts, especially among young people and women, evidences the need to allocate more resources and strengthen specialized care," states the CCIAP. In terms of nutrition, the country faces the double burden of malnutrition: while child malnutrition persists, overweight and obesity in adults are on the rise. The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP), together with the Panamá ¡cuéntame! observatory, presented the Eighth Quality of Life Report, a specialized study that analyzes the health and wellness sector in the country during the period 2019–2024. The study reveals that the Panamanian population perceives itself as mostly healthy but vulnerable, especially in lower-income sectors. Cases of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and hepatitis B show fluctuations, with advances in diagnosis and control, with a high incidence in the comarcas. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases continue to be the leading causes of mortality.
