The Hidden Divide in Healthcare Accessibility
Access to healthcare should be a fundamental human right. So why is it that so many people fall into poverty trying to pay their medical bills? Why are vaccines for several viral infections available in some countries but not others? Why is professional, quality healthcare still out of reach for so many people worldwide? Health inequality - the uneven distribution of health resources - and health inequity - unjust differences in health resources, often caused by governments, corruption, cultural exclusion, or social class - are pressing issues worldwide, restricting access to basic healthcare and perpetuating cycles of poverty and poor health. Addressing these issues is vital for promoting social justice, improving global health, and increasing global efficiency.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by the end of 2017, about 800 million people worldwide spent at least 10% of their household budgets on healthcare costs. Additionally, 100 million of those people fell into extreme poverty because of high medical bills. A person’s health can be unpredictable and uncontrollable. When health issues come up, the main focus of individuals and families should be on recovery instead of whether they can afford their healthcare costs.
Difficult financial situations usually stem from severe or complicated medical conditions, where only certain hospitals have the technology necessary for treatment. Universal technological accessibility should be the ultimate goal, but reaching that goal is not that simple and requires a lot of time. In some regions, like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, accessibility to essential services, such as family planning and infant vaccination, is slowly increasing, but at high financial costs. In more developed areas, like Eastern Asia, Latin America, and Europe, several people still use at least 10% of their income to pay medical bills. However, while most inequalities in health service availability are visible when comparing countries, many are visible within countries. For example, in the US in 2017, only 17% of mothers and children in the poorest 20% of households received at least six of seven basic maternal and child health services, compared to 74% of the wealthiest 20%.
While many factors affecting access and quality of healthcare are related to the availability of resources and financial ability of a country, many social factors have also shown effects on accessibility. These factors include traits such as gender, ethnicity, education, and income level. A 2021 study showed that across 26 countries, people in the lowest-income quintile were around three times more likely to report unmet medical needs than those in the highest-income quintile. In Central America, corruption and severe divides in income impact universal access to services such as healthcare, education, employment, housing, and more. The divide is only expanding, with national budgets frequently directed to support political agendas instead of supporting public needs.
Additionally, women and girls frequently face additional barriers to accessing healthcare compared to their male counterparts. For example, in Nigeria, social taboos limit girls’ access to sexual health resources, such as condoms, which are more readily available for boys. Single mothers face disproportionate access to health services, pushing them into poverty trying to access basic or more advanced health needs. These issues stem from sexism still found worldwide, where women are pushed aside as the caretakers of the home or are seen as generally less capable of fulfilling duties or having a career.
Other countries, such as Lebanon, have access to advanced health services and leading medical personnel, but refugees and migrants struggle to access those services due to their legal statuses and high costs. COVID-19 only worsened the situation, disrupting healthcare systems and increasing poverty rates due to financial strains stemming from the pandemic. Impoverished people found it more difficult to access health facilities, especially for COVID-19 care. In 2023, WHO research found that COVID-19 vaccination rates among the most educated were at least 15% higher than the least educated across countries worldwide. The pandemic caused an 85% inflation rate in Lebanon, limiting access to necessities such as milk, diapers, and medication, forcing many children to drop out of school and work to help support their families. Other countries facing similar situations due to war or financial distress need just as much support.
Despite the ongoing inequalities and inequities, the situation is improving because of the charities, non-profits, and organizations dedicated to bringing awareness and support to those who need it. These organizations research health issues and provide support and resources to those suffering from war, poverty, or lack of resources worldwide. For example, the Ronald McDonald House supports the families of children who are sick and need to travel to receive proper medical care for specific conditions so that families can prioritize their child’s health. Individuals can help address inequality and inequity by simply spreading awareness or donating to one of these organizations to support underserved populations.
To learn more or support increased access to healthcare worldwide, click the links below:
Sources:
www.oecd.org/en/topics/policy-issues/health-inequality-and-universal-health-coverage.html
www.projecthope.org/news-stories/story/what-do-health-inequities-look-like-around-the-world/
