Paraguay ranks near the median among South American countries for major health indicators. In general, the health of Paraguyans residing in major urban areas is better than those living outside in the more rural parts of the country. Over the past decade, Paraguay’s health care improvements have slowed. Compared to most other Latin American countries, Paraguay spends very little per capita (US$13−20 per year) on health care. Fortunately, Paraguayans are free of many of the diseases endemic to tropical areas, such as typhoid fever.