In December 2017, the World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO) released a joint report on the status of healthcare coverage around the world. Released to coincide with the Universal Health Coverage Forum held in Tokyo, the report presents the most recent data on 16 essential items that are considered to be indicators of the level of health services in a given country.
Disappointingly, the report noted that at least half of all people living on Earth currently do not have access to essential health services. Furthermore, the report emphasized that among those who can receive health services, many families are falling into poverty in order to pay for healthcare.
Despite noting that access to vaccinations, HIV/AIDS drugs, and contraception has continued to show improvement globally, the joint report warns that there is still a lot that needs to be done, particularly for people in developing nations. Efforts to develop new industries and boost incomes in these countries will face challenges if they lack a healthy and productive population.
Given the positive outcomes that have been observed for important healthcare measures, such as improved control of infectious diseases and improved access to contraceptives, the goal of ensuring that everyone on Earth has access to adequate healthcare services, regardless of nationality and income level, is by no means out of reach. As the report highlights, there is a direct link between poverty and healthcare; therefore, efforts that address either of these issues should benefit the other.
Click here for the Japanese version.