WHO and disadvantaged populations and the right to health

Vulnerable and marginalized groups in societies are often less likely to enjoy the right to health. Three of the world’s most fatal communicable diseases - malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis - disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations, placing a tremendous burden on the economies of developing countries. Conversely the burden of non-communicable disease – most often perceived as affecting high-income countries is now increasing disproportionately among lower income countries and populations

Within countries – some populations – such as indigenous communities are exposed to greater rates of ill-health and face significant obstacles to accessing quality and affordable healthcare. This population has substantially higher mortality and morbidity rates, due to noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, than the general public. People who are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection – including young women, men who have sex with men, and injecting drug users – are often characterized by social and economic disadvantage and discrimination. These vulnerable populations may be the subject of laws and policies that further compound this marginalization and make it harder to access prevention and care services. Così l'Organizzazione mondiale per la sanità punta il dito sulle diseguaglianze a livello mondiale nell'assistenza sanitaria primaria con particolare riguardo ai minori.