State of health in the Asia-Pacific region - statistics & facts
As a region made up of more than 40 countries, accounting for over half of the global population, it is not surprising that Asia-Pacific possesses a number of differing health systems. Thus, resulting from numerous healthcare structures are varied states of health among the citizens of the Asia-Pacific region. Some countries across the region are renowned for their public health services. Japan, Australia, and New Zealand all rank among the leading Asia-Pacific countries in terms of their healthcare, with health expenditure amounting to significant shares of the countries' GDPs. People are living longer, and with that comes the demand for improved healthcare and subsequently, better health statuses. Yet, with diverse healthcare systems and funds available, there exist differing levels of progress in tackling certain diseases which have disturbed the region for years.
Although communicable diseases such as malaria (diseases spread from one person to another, airborne disease, or diseases spread through an insect bite) are still a problem in the Asia-Pacific region, the number of malaria cases has greatly reduced over the past ten years. In 2020, Papua New Guinea recorded the highest number of malaria cases throughout the Asia-Pacific region. As malaria has also always posed a huge threat in the Southeast Asian region, governments of the region devised plans to eradicate the disease by 2030. Other life threatening communicable diseases which are prevalent throughout the region include HIV and tuberculosis. However, recently tuberculosis has become more manageable with high vaccination rates against tuberculosis among children. Despite one disease becoming more controlled, there is still a high number of people living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific region. This has resulted in a high number of deaths due to AIDS.
Highs and lows
Along with various health statuses, average life expectancy ranges across the Asia-Pacific region. Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore all exhibit some of the world's highest life expectancies. However, Myanmar falls behind in terms of average life expectancies at birth, with the country's average life expectancy being as much as 17 years lower than Singapore. Despite the significant variations between countries, average life expectancies have been increasing throughout the region.Although communicable diseases such as malaria (diseases spread from one person to another, airborne disease, or diseases spread through an insect bite) are still a problem in the Asia-Pacific region, the number of malaria cases has greatly reduced over the past ten years. In 2020, Papua New Guinea recorded the highest number of malaria cases throughout the Asia-Pacific region. As malaria has also always posed a huge threat in the Southeast Asian region, governments of the region devised plans to eradicate the disease by 2030. Other life threatening communicable diseases which are prevalent throughout the region include HIV and tuberculosis. However, recently tuberculosis has become more manageable with high vaccination rates against tuberculosis among children. Despite one disease becoming more controlled, there is still a high number of people living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific region. This has resulted in a high number of deaths due to AIDS.
