Interesting health facts about Peru
Health Information

Health has always been a concern for the people of the Peruvian nation. In the first part of the 1990s the country experienced a widespread cholera epidemic. The rampant disease exposed many of the problems that existed with the country's current health care program. Several studies were made to review the health statistics of the country which revealed that Peru is quite vulnerable to disease. What is even worse is the country has not had the adequate resources to combat disease.

Most of the health facilities -- and even the best ones -- were concentrated in the city of Lima. Other health strongholds were found in other principal coastal cities. However, the rest of the country suffered with the lack of quality facilities.

In many parts of Peru there is only one doctor for every few thousand inhabitants. Some areas only have one doctor for as many as 12,000 people. With these types of medical resources, the country has struggled to provide proper healthcare for its people.

Another area of concern is the lack of possible water and proper sewer systems. This has caused the population to be exposed to a wide variety of waterborne illnesses. The leading causes of death included many infectious diseases. The principle illnesses have been respiratory infections.

Please use the menu on the left to see more in-depth information on some of the other diseases found in Peru.