WHO/World Bank Report Shows 400M People Lack Access To Essential Health Services

News outlets highlight findings from a new WHO/World Bank Group joint report, titled Tracking universal health coverage: First global monitoring report.

International Business Times: Sub-Saharan Africa Lags Other Regions In Health Care: World Bank, World Health Organization Report
“More than 400 million people around the world don’t have access to essential health services, and many of them are in sub-Saharan Africa, where the resources are most needed, according to data from the World Bank and World Health Organization…” (Caulderwood, 6/12).

New York Times: 400 Million Lack Basic Health Services, Report Finds
“…The report also said that at least six percent of people in 37 low-and-middle-income countries are living in poverty because of the money they must spend on health. That finding alone suggested that the poorest could be left further behind by rising global health costs…” (Gladstone, 6/12).

Reuters: Some 400 million lack health care worldwide: WHO and World Bank
“…At the same time, more people have access to essential health services than ever before, the report said, though coverage gaps remain…” (Cassella, 6/12).

U.N. News Centre: New U.N.-World Bank report shows world ‘a long way from achieving universal health coverage’
“…The joint WHO/World Bank report, Tracking universal health coverage: First global monitoring report, is the first of its kind to measure health service coverage and financial protection to assess countries’ progress towards universal health coverage…” (6/12).

WHO: New report shows that 400 million do not have access to essential health services
“… ‘This report is a wake-up call: It shows that we’re a long way from achieving universal health coverage. We must expand access to health and protect the poorest from health expenses that are causing them severe financial hardship,’ says Dr. Tim Evans, senior director of health, nutrition and population at the World Bank Group…” (6/12).

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