Publications

The report documents global progress in expanding access to essential health services. It shows that all regions and all income groups have made improvements, with lower income countries making the greatest gains. On the downside, poorer countries still lag behind, and the overall pace of progress is slowing. The report also reveals that more people are incurring significant financial hardship to pay for essential health services. In countries with higher public expenditures on health, however, people are better protected. For the first time, the report focuses on gender issues, shedding light on how gender norms and power influence access to health services.