Persons with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean continue to face barriers to accessing health services and emergency care despite advances in laws, policies and programs, according to a press release from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The report was jointly issued on July 20, 2026 with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Inter-American Network of Persons with Disabilities and Their Families (RIADIS). It reviews experiences and challenges in ten countries across the region. The findings point to structural gaps hindering equitable access to health care and essential services, particularly during emergencies. The report calls for disability to be systematically integrated into health policies, emergency preparedness and response, information systems and service delivery.