Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities: Health inequities to be blamed for premature deaths among people with disabilities: WHO

Source: The post is based on the article “Health inequities to be blamed for premature deaths among people with disabilities: WHO” published in Down To Earth on 5th December 2022

What is the News?

The World Health Organization(WHO) has released a report titled- “Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities”.

What are the key highlights from the report?

Data related to PwDs: Approximately 1.3 billion people or 16% of the population has significant disability.

– Because of the systemic and persistent health inequities, many persons with disabilities face the risk of dying much earlier—even up to 20 years earlier—than persons without disabilities.

– They have more than double the risk of developing conditions such as diabetes, stroke or depression. 

– PwDs have more limitations in functioning – for example, inaccessible health facilities are up to 6 times more hindering for them. 

Factors for inequity in Healthcare to PwDs: 1) Hostile attitudes of healthcare providers, 2) Non-comprehensible health information formats, 3) Physical barriers, lack of transportation, or financial constraints that prevent access to a health center.

What are the recommendations given by the report?

Firstly, the report recommends 40 disability-targeted actions in areas like Political commitment, governance, Health financing etc  

Secondly, it recommends 3 principles for all governments and health sector partners: 1) Include health equity for PwD at the centre of any health sector action, 2) Ensure empowerment and meaningful participation of PwD in implementing any health sector action and 3) Monitor and evaluate the extent to which health sector actions lead to health equity for PwD. 

Thirdly, Governments, health partners and civil society should ensure all health sector actions are inclusive of persons with disabilities so that they can enjoy their right to the highest standard of health.