Many people with disabilities face premature death due to health problems
“Many people with disabilities die earlier, some up to 20 years earlier, and more are at risk – double the risk – of development of various health conditions compared to the general population,” said Darryl Barrett, WHO’s Technical Lead for Sensory Services, Disability and Rehabilitation, briefing journalists in Geneva.
Them Global report on health equitypublished on the eve of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, shows that while there has been some progress in recent years, systemic and often persistent inequities, and many people with disabilities face increased risk of developing chronic conditions and higher risks.
“It is the main reason for these early deaths because of poor health services”, noted Mr. Barrett. “The highest incidence includes diseases such as asthma, diabetes, stroke, sexually transmitted infections, and cardiovascular problems among people with disabilities.”
Poor health services
“Health systems should reduce the challenges that people with disabilities face, not add to them” said WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “This report sheds light on the inequities that people with disabilities face in trying to access the care they need.
“WHO is committed to supporting countries with the guidance and tools they need to ensure that all people with disabilities have access to quality health services.”
Many of the differences in health outcomes cannot be explained by the underlying health condition or disability, says the WHO, but by avoidable and inefficient barriers such as poor public health policies, or some advice given to people with disabilities during health emergencies.
1.3 billion with ‘significant disabilities’
This report also contains the latest global prevalence estimates for critical illness, etchat is about 16 per cent of the population, or at today’s rate, 1.3 billion people with a significant disability“, noted Mr. Barrett. “So that equates to about one in six of us.”
With an estimated 80% of people with disabilities living in low- and middle-income countries where health services are limited, addressing health inequalities can be challenging. Yet even with limited resources, much can be achieved, WHO said.
Take action
The report recommends 40 actions for governments to take, from addressing physical infrastructure to the training of health workers.
“The attitude and ability of health workers, for example, can be very negative and have an impact on the health outcomes of people with disabilities”, said Mr. Barrett.
WHO emphasized the need for urgent action to address the imbalances: “When governments are looking at training their health workers, it is important that they include disability as part of the training and education so that the worker is confident and able to able to cope. what needs to be looked at”, stressed Mr Barrett.
The report shows that investing in the disability healthcare sector is cost-effective. The WHO estimates that governments can expect a return of up to $10 for every dollar invested in non-disease prevention and treatment.
