PHA-Exchange> Improving the Health of the World's Poorest People

[Claudio]

From: Ruggiero, Mrs. Ana Lucia (WDC) 
 EQUIDAD at LISTSERV.PAHO.ORG 


Improving the Health of the World's Poorest People



Dara Carr

Population Reference Bureau, 2004

Health Bulletin is supported through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation



Available online as PDF file [39p.] at:
http://www.prb.org/pdf/ImprovingtheHealthWorld_Eng.pdf 



"...This Bulletin focuses largely on economic inequalities in health. In most countries, however, important disparities also exist by sex, race, ethnic group, language, occupation, and residence. Researchers in Bangladesh, for instance, have found multiple disparities in childhood vaccination, with girls, ethnic minorities, and children in isolated regions less likely than others to be immunized.



The effects of poverty on health are often exacerbated by social discrimination and exclusion from health, education, and

other services. Disparities by social group can be more pronounced than differences based on income alone. 



Women and girls often face discrimination in health and special obstacles in accessing health care. In India, the mortality gap between girls and boys has been increasing over time. Presently, an estimated 2 million girls age 6 and younger are "missing" due to sex-selective abortion and neglect in health care and nutrition.



When services are difficult to reach, travel costs may be more prohibitive for women than for men. Women generally earn less than men and have less control over how household resources are spent. Cultural norms may also restrict women from traveling long distances, especially alone, to obtain health services.



Poor communities typically face multiple health risks related to their location. The poor tend to predominate in rural and

remote areas lacking infrastructure, services, and trained personnel. 



In cities, the poor often reside close to polluted areas, including highways and industrial sites. When natural disasters strike, the poor tend to suffer disproportionately because of flimsy housing and residence in vulnerable areas such as floodplains.."







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