Health integration processes: challenges for MERCOSUR in the health field

This paper describes the institutional background in Latin American integration in both the economy and health, and proposes a systematization of possible health integration modalities. Facilitating and inhibiting factors for integration according to each modality are identified, and their feasibility is discussed in the present context. The structure and functioning of MERCOSUR health structures (Ministerial Meeting and Sub-group 11) are briefly described, as well as the advances achieved to date, reflecting on the possible causes of uneven progress in different areas.