The World Health Organization (WHO) published the World report on social determinants of health equity.
According to a release, certain social factors affect lifespan. WHO says “underlying causes of ill health often stem from factors beyond the health sector, such as lack of quality housing, education and job opportunities.” These factors may affect health outcomes “more than genetic influences or access to healthcare.”
Key findings from the report:
- Indigenous Peoples’ lifespan is expected to be shorter than those who are not Indigenous, despite the country’s status. “Indigenous women were up to three times more likely to die during childbirth.”
- Goals for evening life expectancy and reducing childhood and maternal mortality by 2040 are not on track and will probably not be met, according to WHO.
- If health disparities are reduced worldwide, up to 1.8 million children’s lives could be saved. Currently, “children born in poorer countries are 13 times more likely to die before the age of 5 than in wealthier countries.”
- Despite strides in maternal mortality progress, “low- and lower-middle-income countries still account for 94% of maternal deaths.”
- The report shows that while there was a 40% decline in maternal mortality globally between 2000 and 2023, low- and lower-middle-income countries still account for 94% of maternal deaths.
- Many people (3.8 billion) don’t have access to “adequate social protection coverage, such as child/paid sick leave benefits.”
