Health in the Americas is the Organization's flag-ship publication, informing readers about the public health issues critical to policy development and decision-making. The 2007 Edition offers several new features including a vision of the future of health in the Americas provided by leading international health experts; more than 200 figures and over 200 tables integrated into each chapter; maps illustrating the various regions; and highlighted profiles of health challenges and the health sector's response in the afflicted country.

Divided into two volumes, Health in the Americas, 2007 Edition, provides up-to-date information on health in the Region. Volume II examines health issues from a national perspective and includes information on progress towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals. This volume has 46 chapters covering information and analysis for each of the countries or territories in the Americas.

This chapter examines the social, political, and economic determinants of health in Panama. It investigates the health problems and conditions affecting Panama's population and looks at specific population groups. This section concludes by examining the response of the health sector by looking at health policies and plans, the health system, public health services, financing, and human resources.