Rapid growth in the Americas.

Latin America is currently undergoing a rapid urbanization process a development that threatens the well-being of urban dwellers. Over the next few years the whole region of the Americas will experience a rise in the level of urbanization. In 1985 71.1% of the population in the Americas (475.3 million people) lived in urban centers. But by the year 2000 rapid growth will make the Americas 2nd only to Europe in the level of urbanization. And while Europes urban-rural ration will remain stable the figure will continue to increase in the Americas which will become the most urbanized region by the year 2025 when 83% of the population will live in cities. Most of the growth will take place in Latin America whose level of urbanization will rise to 85% by 2025 and which will have the 11 highest urban concentrations in the world cities which in 1985 already had over 10 million inhabitants. The same year 5 Latin American cities already accounted for 40% of their own countries total population. These included Buenos Aires Argentina; Santiago Chile; San Jose Costa Rica; San Juan Puerto Rico; and Montevideo Uruguay. By the year 2000 the list will also include Sao Paulo Brazil; Santo Domingo Dominican Republic; Asuncion Paraguay; and Lima Peru. The rapid growth in the urban levels will exacerbate the existing social and economic problems. There will be a severe shortage of housing and sanitation services which will have a detrimental impact on the health of the population. Considering the disastrous effects of such rapid growth planners need anticipate a way to provide health care to urban dwellers and the forgotten rural population.