EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES: CHILE 2024-2024. DAY TO DAY IMPACT OF THE NEW SITUATION

Abstract

The country has undergone major changes in the last decade, particularly in its demographics and general health epidemiology. Socioeconomically, there is an increase in per capita prod- uct, a decrease in poverty and an increase in life expectancy, but a marked decrease in birth rates, but a major increase in migration. Regarding the epidemiological aspects of infectious diseases, in preventive terms there has been an increase in vaccination programs. Regarding infectious pathologies, there has been a deterioration in epidemiological information in the last 3-4 years, which is in the recovery phase, but it still highlights the significant increase in syphilis and tuberculosis; the notification of cases of HIV infection has seen delays, but in the national population it seems more stabilized. Infectious pathologies covered by healthcare guarantees have increased by 1 but the quality of care has seen progress. The period has seen the emergence or re-emergence of new infections (scrub typhus, Q fever and monkeypox: M pox) but clearly COVID-19 pandemic -a genuine new disease- stands out in the period, with enormous health consequences on human lives, morbid consequences and impact on health structures. Very importantly, the decade has seen a worsening of antibiotic resistance, without genuinely new antibacterial molecules being developed. Regarding the impact of the migrant population on health, the main use is obstetric care, but there is an impact related to syphilis, tuberculosis and HIV infection.