Rapid growth and changes in ASEAN pose challenges to the health systems of its Member States. Communities are faced with overpopulation, pollution and environmental health problems. Poverty remains an important determinant for health status — mainly for marginalized and vulnerable groups, including those living in remote, isolated, mountainous, island communities or resource-poor areas.

Some AMS also face the double burden of non-communicable and communicable and emerging infectious diseases. These are further complicated by the region’s vulnerability to natural hazards affecting the local communities especially the poorer segments of the population, and the increasing impacts of climate change. Inequitable access to affordable, appropriate and quality healthcare also remain an issue between and within AMS in the region.

As an ASEAN Community, Member States believe that efforts and resources of each national health system geared towards protecting and improving the health of their peoples will have maximum outcomes when done in a collaborative, complementary and synergistic manner. Since its official establishment as a regional cooperation in 1980, the ASEAN Health Sector, has gone a long way in protecting the region from high-impact public health emergencies or pandemics. Collectively, it continuously engages with populations in the prevention and control of specific health conditions, such as non-communicable diseases; enables health systems improvement; and, implements regional measures to support common gaps in ensuring safe, sustainable and healthy communities.