Public Health Results in the Department of Bolívar, Colombia: An Analysis of Indicators in 2023

OBJECTIVES: To systematically evaluate the public health indicators in Bolívar, Colombia, for the year 2023, aiming to identify trends, progress, and challenges in health outcomes, and to provide a data-driven foundation for future health policies and interventions.

METHODS: For this study, the methodology includes collecting and analyzing public health secondary data, evaluating trends through statistical comparisons, modeling to explore relationships between indicators, reviewing health policies, consulting with sector experts, and conducting cost-effectiveness analysis of interventions, providing a comprehensive perspective on health outcomes in Bolívar in 2023.

RESULTS: The overall health indicator has a score of 5.79 out of 10, placing Bolívar 14th out of 33 at the national level and fourth in the Colombian Caribbean region. This general indicator is composed of three axes: 1. Access to health, 2. Health outcomes, and 3. Health quality. The scores for these three axes are: Access to health 5.94 (17/33), Health outcomes 6.56 (20/33), and Quality of health 4.86 (12/33). Public health investment is notably low at 0.23, ranking worst (25th). Infant and maternal mortality rates are close, ranked 23rd and 13th, respectively, while life expectancy at birth scores high at 7.98, also ranked 12th. Sub-indicators for health community and specialist doctors are in better positions (10th) than general practitioners (16th). General and specialized beds score high at 7.50, ranked favorably at 8th, indicating better availability compared to other indicators.

CONCLUSIONS: The health indicators of Bolívar in 2023 show that while the region ranks well in access to healthcare and health outcomes, it lags significantly in public health investment. Despite challenges, the department performs relatively well in life expectancy at birth and availability of specialized healthcare resources, such as beds and specialist doctors. These findings suggest that focused investments in public health and addressing disparities in healthcare provision can further enhance the region's health profile.