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Poverty

The link between poverty and premature death and disability has been long evident, but the definition of who is poor and the global distribution of the extremely poor are changing. Today there are fewer poor and fragile states and most of poor people live in stable, middle-income nations. This section examines the ways in which ill-health and poverty are now interacting and reinforcing each other.

Poverty

$1.90

World Bank threshold per diem for extreme poverty

World Bank threshold per diem for extreme poverty World Bank threshold per diem for extreme poverty

6 of 10

Extremely poor people are in middle-income nations

Extremely poor people are in middle-income nations Extremely poor people are in middle-income nations

1.9 B

Billion people living in extreme poverty, 1990

Billion people living in extreme poverty, 1990 Billion people living in extreme poverty, 1990

589 M

Number of people living in extreme poverty, 2019

Number of people living in extreme poverty, 2019 Number of people living in extreme poverty, 2019

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Poverty
Children play in water pipes at a construction site on the banks of the Yamuna River on July 26, 2010in the northern Indian city of Allahabad. Picture shows several rows of large, concrete sewer pipes stacked on top of each other with their fat openings facing the camera. Each is large enough to fit one child huddled at the opening. About ten children can be seen climbing about on the feature. REUTERS/Jitendra Prakash

How to Prevent a Million Children’s Deaths
by Abraham D. Flaxman, Rohina Joshi - December 11, 2019

Closing gap on child mortality for UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 in ten years may take baby steps, not giant leaps

Poverty
Peter Salama visits a makeshift school at Kule Camp in the Gambella region of Ethiopia on August 12, 2014, when he was the Country Representative of UNICEF Ethiopia. Picture shows Dr. Salama wearing a blue hat talking to several boys in a classroom. They are all smiling. UNICEF/Jiro Ose/UNI170605

A Tribute to Peter Salama, a Champion of People in Fragile States and War-Torn Places

by Richard Brennan, David Nabarro

Original director of WHO Health Emergencies Program, he fought against Ebola and for Universal Health Coverage worldwide

Poverty
A graveyard in Cape Town's Khayelitsha Township, where many of those who are buried died from HIV/AIDS

Reducing the Global Burden of HIV/AIDS—What Does the Future Hold?

by Deepa Jahagirdar

Despite successes, continued progress is at risk—hinges on addressing social, cultural, political responses to disease

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Poverty
A health technician analyses blood samples for tuberculosis testing in a high-tech TB laboratory in Carabayllo, an area in Lima, Peru on May 19, 2016. The image shows a splashing liquid being washed across glass plates each of which is dotted with what appears to be a blood drop sample. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo

Diabetes and TB—A Complicating Combo

by Kirsten Wiens

Though they are entirely different types of diseases TB and diabetes exacerbate each other in surprising—and costly—ways

Peter Salama visits a makeshift school at Kule Camp in the Gambella region of Ethiopia on August 12, 2014, when he was the Country Representative of UNICEF Ethiopia. Picture shows Dr. Salama wearing a blue hat talking to several boys in a classroom. They are all smiling. UNICEF/Jiro Ose/UNI170605
Poverty

A Tribute to Peter Salama, a Champion of People in Fragile States and War-Torn Places

by Richard Brennan, David Nabarro

Original director of WHO Health Emergencies Program, he fought against Ebola and for Universal Health Coverage worldwide

Two ends of the age spectrum: Thenjiwe Madzinga, 66, and grandson Thina Gxotelwa in a small room they share in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township on Feb. 23, 2010. Madzinga cares for five grandchildren. Picture shows the pair sitting on a bed in a small room with bright green walls. She is looking lovingly at him, and he is looking at her and smiling, perhaps embarrassed at the camera. REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly
Poverty

Universal Health Coverage—A Citizens’ Guide to Benefits

by Ruth E. Levine

Realizing this high-level UN priority in low-income settings will demand evidence-based decisions and grass-roots action