[Availability of indicators for monitoring the achievement of "Universal Health" in Latin America and the Caribbean].

Objective The objective of this study was to identify the availability of health indicators for validly measuring advances in the attainment of "universal health" in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Methods A systematic search was undertaken for scientific evidence and available technical and scientific documents on assessing health system performance and advances in universal health in the following phases: phase 1, mapping of indicators; phase 2, classification of indicators; and phase 3, mapping the availability of selected indicators in LAC. Results Sixty-three (63) national sources of information and eight international sources were identified. A total of 749 indicators were selected from the different databases and studies evaluated, 619 of which were related to the attainment of universal health and 130 to the burden of disease. The following indicators were identified: financial protection, 42 (6%); coverage of service delivery, 415 (55.4%); population coverage, 6 (0.8%); health determinants, 101 (14%); assessment of inequalities in health, 55 (7.3%); and estimation of burden of disease, 130 (17.3%). Finally, the availability of 141 indicators was mapped for each LAC country. Conclusions The results of this study will help establish a framework for measuring the achievements, obstacles, and rate of progress toward universal health in LAC.