43 the impact of Plan Nacer in patterns of undernutrition among children younger than 5 years since its implementation (2005–2013). Before the implementation of the universal health program coverages, undernutrition and stunting were the causes of more than 25% of deaths inchildrenunder 5years old. Fortunately, since the program’s implementation, stunting for children under 5 years decreased from20.6% in 2005 to 11.3% in 2013, a relative decrease of 45%. The percentage of underweight children also decreased from 4.0% to 2.5%, representing a relative decrease of 38% over a period of 8 years. The overall findings imply that universal health coverage is a key instrument in improving health. Considering that vulnerable populations tend to have higher levels of stunting, undernutrition, morbidity, and mortality, policy makers should ensure expansion among the most rural populations to enhance health coverage and child survival, health, and nutrition. Argentina can serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges. Establishing similar innovative programs will play a key role in improving the health of their infant and child population. Conclusion With Plan Nacer, Argentina had great success in improving infant health as well as expanding health coverage to the rest of the population. Plan Nacer showed that implementation of financial incentives through results-based mechanisms improved infant healthoutcomeswhile boosting the performance of health systems across the country. Argentina’s actions in health care inspired other countries, such as Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala, to create similar performance-based models as Plan Nacer. The Sumar program can continue to evolve by incorporating additional health services such as preventative care. In Argentina, around 80% of diseases are noncommunicable (Cortez & Romero, 2013). Noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes can be prevented through early care, diet, and lifestyle. The programshould include services that encourage, educate, and help people decrease their risk of getting noncommunicable diseases. The Sumar program also can ameliorate health disparities by increasing the enrollment of uninsured people from vulnerable and remote areas; equity goals across provinces are yet to be realized. The Sumar program has many fewer men than women enrolled, since men only became eligible in 2015. Therefore, in future years, the Sumar program should expand efforts to increase the number of enrolledmen. Furthermore, although Plan Nacer/Sumar saw a great improvement in infant mortality and health outcomes, maternal mortality continues to fluctuate and remains a challenge. Plan Sumar should consider promoting organized networks to identify highrisk pregnancies and refer affected women to a health care facility where they can receive proper care and treatment. Overall, Plan Nacer/Sumar has had very positive effects on the vulnerable and uninsured population; with continuous and enhanced efforts, these programs have the potential to minimize maternal and infant mortality, prevent noncommunicable diseases, and eliminate health disparities across the country.
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