Peru

In Peru there is enormous inequality between the health of rural and urban populations, despite its recent stable economic performance and status as a middle-income country.

Indigenous groups, such as the Aymaras and Quechuas, live mainly in the Andean mountains, in much greater poverty than the majority of the population. For example:

• Among these groups, the maternal mortality rate is 489 per 100,000 live births, compared to 185 nationally

Other health indicators such as the number of births in hospital and levels of vaccination coverage are systematically worse for indigenous people.

Health services are often inappropriate, with language, cost and lack of education all presenting barriers.

Health Poverty Action is working to address these barriers by improving access to maternal health services for indigenous women.