Nisha Pandey

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WHO's Health Inequality Report Shows How Income, Education And Gender Influence Noncommunicable Diseases Risk

An individual's income, education, gender and place of residence can impact their risk of developing <span>chronic diseases</span>, as well as their access to diagnosis and treatment, according to a new <span>World Health Organization</span> (WHO) report. 

The report highlights how social and economic inequalities affect the burden of <span>noncommunicable diseases</span> (<span>NCDs</span>) like <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a></span>, cardiovascular diseases, <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">diabetes</a></span> and chronic respiratory diseases.

Published on October 20, <em>State of Inequality: Noncommunicable Diseases and Their Risk Factors</em> is WHO's first comprehensive global assessment of inequalities in NCDs and their risk factors. The report is based on data sources from nine countries and examines 35 indicators, using national data that collected over the past decade. 

NCDs account for about three-quarters of deaths worldwide but their impact is not shared equally across different countries and their populations. The report examines how differences in economic status, education, sex, age, disability, employment, migration status and location influence disease risks and access to healthcare. 

“This is the first effort to systematically measure inequalities in <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/who-global-life-expectancy-returns-to-pre-pandemic-levels-but-ncds-resulted-in-8-out-10-deaths-article-156271505" data-type="tilCustomLink">NCDs</a> and their risk factors on a global scale,” said Dr Ahmad Reza Hosseinpoor, who leads WHO's health inequality monitoring team. “The findings show which populations are being left behind.” 

<h2>How Income And Education Influence Chronic Disease Risk</h2>

The report found that people with lower levels of education in low and middle income countries tend to have higher rates of hypertension and diabetes.

Education can affect access to credible health information, opportunities to make informed health decisions and the capability to navigate technically complex healthcare services. 

Income becomes a key factor that affects whether people's ability to afford nutritious food, preventive care, medicines and routine medical check-ups.

The report found that the poorest and least-educated women were less likely to receive <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/hpv-vaccine-could-provide-long-term-protection-to-hiv-women-lancet-article-156289822" data-type="tilCustomLink">cervical cancer</a> screening. Tobacco use was also higher among men who were less educated than their educated counterparts.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/g155e-h1n1-mutation-in-us-raises-concerns-can-this-years-flu-shot-still-protect-you-article-156374682" data-type="tilCustomLink">G155E H1N1 Mutation In US Raises Concerns: Can This Year’s Flu Shot Still Protect You?</a> 

<h2>Risk Is Also Affected By Gender And Location</h2>

Differences in healthcare access and risks were also observed between men and women. Men were more likely to use tobacco and consume alcohol, but men with hypertension were less likely to be diagnosed and treated than women.

Women were less likely to meet recommended physical activity levels, while obesity was more common among women, particularly in low and middle-income countries. 

Geography was another key factor as in many underprivileged countries, people living in rural areas had less access to <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/fitness/hiit-and-high-blood-pressure-what-doctors-want-you-to-know-article-156344471" data-type="tilCustomLink">hypertension</a> diagnosis and treatment, as well as cervical cancer screening. 

Rural households could also face greater exposure to household air pollution, while urban populations often experienced greater exposure to outdoor air pollution. 

People with disabilities and migrants may also face financial, administrative, geographical or language barriers that make prevention, screening and treatment harder to access.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/lead-poisoning-who-warns-there-is-no-known-safe-level-flags-risks-from-paint-spices-and-cookware-article-156347183" data-type="tilCustomLink">Lead Poisoning: WHO Warns There Is No Known Safe Level; Flags Risks From Paint, Spices and Cookware</a> 

<h2>What Needs To Change According To WHO</h2>

Why Are There Summer & Winter Flu Vaccine Doses? | Expert Explains

WHO said countries should use inequality data to identify marginalised populations who face barriers to enable direct prevention and treatment services towards them.

The report recommends expanding interventions to reduce NCD risks, improving access to screening and treatment in weak communities, and collecting data that reveal differences between population groups.

“Inequality data are not simply about documenting differences – they are a tool for action,” said Dr Alain Labrique, director of WHO's Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI Department. “They help countries better tailor policies and programmes, identify gaps in coverage and track whether progress is reaching all population groups.” 

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An individual's income, education, gender and place of residence can impact their risk of developing chronic diseases, as well as their access to diagnosis and treatment, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report. The report highlights how social and economic inequalities affect the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.Published on October 20, State of Inequality: Noncommunicable Diseases and Their Risk Factors is WHO's first comprehensive global assessment of inequalities in NCDs and their risk factors. The report is based on data sources from nine countries and examines 35 indicators, using national data that collected over the past decade. NCDs account for about three-quarters of deaths worldwide but their impact is not shared equally across different countries and their populations. The report examines how differences in economic status, education, sex, age, disability, employment, migration status and location influence disease risks and access to healthcare. “This is the first effort to systematically measure inequalities in NCDs and their risk factors on a global scale,” said Dr Ahmad Reza Hosseinpoor, who leads WHO's health inequality monitoring team. “The findings show which populations are being left behind.” How Income And Education Influence Chronic Disease RiskThe report found that people with lower levels of education in low and middle income countries tend to have higher rates of hypertension and diabetes.Education can affect access to credible health information, opportunities to make informed health decisions and the capability to navigate technically complex healthcare services. Income becomes a key factor that affects whether people's ability to afford nutritious food, preventive care, medicines and routine medical check-ups.The report found that the poorest and least-educated women were less likely to receive cervical cancer screening. Tobacco use was also higher among men who were less educated than their educated counterparts.Also read: G155E H1N1 Mutation In US Raises Concerns: Can This Year’s Flu Shot Still Protect You? Risk Is Also Affected By Gender And LocationDifferences in healthcare access and risks were also observed between men and women. Men were more likely to use tobacco and consume alcohol, but men with hypertension were less likely to be diagnosed and treated than women.Women were less likely to meet recommended physical activity levels, while obesity was more common among women, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Geography was another key factor as in many underprivileged countries, people living in rural areas had less access to hypertension diagnosis and treatment, as well as cervical cancer screening. Rural households could also face greater exposure to household air pollution, while urban populations often experienced greater exposure to outdoor air pollution. People with disabilities and migrants may also face financial, administrative, geographical or language barriers that make prevention, screening and treatment harder to access.Also read: Lead Poisoning: WHO Warns There Is No Known Safe Level; Flags Risks From Paint, Spices and Cookware What Needs To Change According To WHO         WHO said countries should use inequality data to identify marginalised populations who face barriers to enable direct prevention and treatment services towards them.The report recommends expanding interventions to reduce NCD risks, improving access to screening and treatment in weak communities, and collecting data that reveal differences between population groups.“Inequality data are not simply about documenting differences – they are a tool for action,” said Dr Alain Labrique, director of WHO's Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI Department. “They help countries better tailor policies and programmes, identify gaps in coverage and track whether progress is reaching all population groups.” 

who's health inequality report shows how income, education and gender influence noncommunicable diseases risk

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