Vision, hearing, and intellectual disabilities in school-age children and adolescents (5–19 years) in Latin America and the Caribbean
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Childhood sensory and intellectual disabilities represent significant yet under-recognized barriers to learning and human capital development. This study analyzes prevalence and severity of these conditions among 149.3 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 years across 25 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 data. METHODS: We extracted GBD 2023 estimates for vision loss, hearing loss, and intellectual disability across 25 LAC countries, stratified by age, sex, and severity. Regional estimates were calculated using population-weighted averages. Severity distributions were compared with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries to contextualize regional patterns. RESULTS: These conditions are estimated to have affected 9,282,921 children and adolescents (6.22%; 95% uncertainty interval (UI): 5.89-6.54%). Hearing loss was predominant, affecting an estimated 5.42 million (3.63%, 3.41-3.86), with 87.6% mild-to-moderate. Intellectual disability estimated to have affected 2.56 million (1.71%, 1.58-1.85), with 61.7% borderline-to-mild. Vision loss estimated to have affected 1.30 million (0.87%, 0.79-0.96), with 89% that can be effectively addressed with spectacles. Prevalence increased with age across all conditions. Male predominance was consistent for intellectual disability (2.00% vs 1.42%). Annual economic cost totaled US$19.3-29.0 billion, while comprehensive interventions would require US$9.45-14.23 billion with benefit-cost ratios of 2:1-15:1. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of children and adolescents across milder levels of difficulty underscores the opportunity for education and public health systems to provide timely and accessible support. With approximately 88% of sensory impairments addressable through established technologies, investments in inclusive services can yield strong social and economic returns.
Source: PLoS ONE
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,382
OpenAlex ID: W7214072397