Healthcare Access

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that half of the world lacks access to the health services they require. Eight hundred million people report spending at least 10 percent of their household budget on health expenses annually.¹ For nearly 100 million people worldwide, these healthcare expenses can force them into poverty.² Despite this, immunizations, family planning, antiretroviral therapy for HIV and medicated mosquito nets are becoming more and more accessible.³ Additionally, as of 2017, 80 percent of live births worldwide were attended by a healthcare professional,⁴ though just 59 percent of births in Sub-Saharan Africa were attended by a professional.⁵ The Netherlands, France, Germany, Australia and the United Kingdom are the leaders in the Global Access to Healthcare Index. The index accounts for the accessibility of child and maternal healthcare services, disease prevention and immunizations, access to medications and the distribution of healthcare services in a given nation.⁶ Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Cambodia are the three lowest ranking nations in terms of healthcare access.⁷ Currently, the worldwide average life expectancy is 71 years.⁸