Poor people are more likely to be ill, yet least able to access health care.
Equally, ill health can lead to destitution. The high cost of seeking medical care, combined with a loss of work and income, can quickly create a spiral of poverty. At national level, the burden of ill health shouldered by poor countries has been massively underestimated. A growing body of evidence suggests that it is impeding social and economic development. For example, HIV-prevalence rates of 10 to 15 per cent not uncommon can lead to a reduction in per capita GDP growth of 1 per cent per year.