ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the health status of the Peruvian population, cross-tabulating data from disparate sources and analyzing morbidity and mortality by age groups, by biological causes, and by regions—taking existing socioeconomic and environmental parameters into account in each case. It explores the degree of coincidence between Peruvians' perceptions of their health problems and their actual health status. There are strong correlations between health status, as reflected by infant and general mortality and life expectancy, and demographic, economic, social, and environmental factors. The chapter focuses on infant, child, and maternal morbi-mortality, matters of particular concern to Peruvian health sector policymakers. Peruvian overall mortality data by cause should be interpreted carefully because of the under-registration differential by age and the variety of causes of mortality at different ages. Special mention should be made of maternal morbidity and mortality resulting from complications related to pregnancy, abortion, childbirth, and the puerperal period.
