Where you’re born can determine how long you live. A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that people born in wealthier countries may live up to 33 years longer. This is compared to those born in the poorest regions. This highlights a vast global health disparity.
The study points to social factors beyond healthcare access as significant contributors to these dramatic differences in life expectancy.
“Our world is an unequal one,” stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Health outcomes are shaped by much more than just genetics or medical care. Housing quality, access to education, job opportunities, and social discrimination play a crucial role in determining overall well-being. WHO’s new report emphasizes that these social determinants can influence life expectancy more than healthcare alone.
The WHO study underscores that these inequities are not confined to low-income countries. Even in high-income nations, disadvantaged groups like Indigenous populations, often face lower life expectancies compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. The social conditions under which people live like poverty, education, and employment, have a direct impact on their health. These conditions contribute to health disparities both within and between countries.
THE GRIM STATISTICS: SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE EQUALS POORER HEALTH
The WHO report paints a stark picture of global health inequities. Children born in the poorest countries face a higher risk. They are 13 times more likely to die before the age of 5 than those born in wealthier countries. In maternal health, the gap is equally concerning. Global maternal mortality has decreased by 40% since 2000. Yet, 94% of maternal deaths still occur in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Furthermore, women from marginalized groups, particularly Indigenous women, face a disproportionately higher risk of dying during childbirth, even in wealthier nations.
The report also highlights that social disadvantage often correlates with poorer health outcomes. These include shorter life spans and lower overall quality of life. Those living in deprived areas tend to have lower incomes. They often have fewer years of education and suffer from poor health. These factors collectively result in fewer healthy years of life. This is compounded by persistent discrimination, which further exacerbates health inequities, particularly among marginalized communities.
SOCIAL INJUSTICE AND ITS ROLE IN HEALTH INEQUITIES
The WHO report on social determinants of health is the first of its kind since the Commission on Social Determinants of Health released its groundbreaking findings in 2008. Despite global efforts, the 2025 targets for reducing health gaps are unlikely to be met. This applies both across and within countries, according to the latest findings.
Social injustice continues to drive health disparities. For instance, racial and ethnic inequities in maternal death rates persist in many high-income countries. In some cases, Indigenous women are up to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than non-Indigenous women. Inadequate access to quality healthcare, social protection, and discrimination remain the primary drivers of these disparities.
THE URGENT NEED FOR STRUCTURAL CHANGE
The WHO report calls for comprehensive action to address these deep-rooted inequities. To break the cycle of health inequality, the organization emphasizes the importance of addressing income inequality, structural discrimination, and the impacts of conflict and climate change. The current climate crisis, for example, is projected to push an additional 68–135 million people into extreme poverty over the next five years.
Furthermore, a staggering 3.8 billion people lack adequate social protection, such as paid sick leave and child benefits. This directly impacts their health outcomes. The WHO report highlights the growing burden of debt in the world’s poorest countries. It notes that the total value of interest payments made by these nations has quadrupled over the past decade. This cripples their ability to invest in public services that could mitigate these health inequities.
A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION
WHO is urging governments, the private sector, and civil society to take collective action to combat health inequities. The organization calls for increased investment in social infrastructure and universal public services, such as education and healthcare. Addressing structural discrimination and the impacts of conflicts, migration, and climate change must be prioritized. Additionally, WHO advocates for governance reforms that ensure the social determinants of health equity are addressed at every level of government, from national leaders to local communities.
Governments must allocate resources effectively to tackle the root causes of health inequities. WHO emphasizes that improving governance and empowering local communities are key to creating meaningful and lasting change.
BREAKING THE CYCLE: STEPS TOWARD HEALTH EQUITY
To reduce health inequities globally, WHO stresses the need to dismantle the barriers that contribute to social and economic disadvantage. A more equitable world is possible through concerted efforts to tackle income inequality, improve education, and provide universal health coverage. By addressing the social determinants of health, we can improve life expectancy for all, regardless of where they are born.
