The illustration depicts Anesu, a visually impaired adolescent receiving HIV treatment services in South Africa. It shows his steps, barriers, and thoughts regarding getting the treatment.

Anesu from South Africa

The illustration depicts Dustin, a man with intellectual disabilities who is accessing dental care services from the USA. It shows his steps, barriers, and thoughts as he goes through the journey of getting medical treatment.

Dustin from the USA

The illustration depicts Morowa, a woman with physical impairment using a wheelchair accessing maternal health services from Ghana. It shows her steps, barriers, and thoughts as he goes through the journey of getting medical treatment.

Morowa from Ghana

The illustration depicts Sylvia, a girl born with Zika, and her mother, Maria, trying to access health services for an ear infection in Brazil. It shows their journey, barriers, and thoughts as they seek medical treatment.

Sylvia & Maria from Brazil

An example of the journey to access healthcare involves Simon and Tuwafu—a boy with a hearing impairment and his father—seeking specialized hearing services in Malawi. Their case illustrates the specific steps, barriers, and thoughts experienced by individuals with disabilities when attempting to obtain medical treatment.

Simon and Tuwafu Seeking Specialized Hearing Services in Malawi

- Anesu from South Africa
- Dustin from the USA
- Morowa from Ghana
- Simon & Tuwafu from Malawi
- Sylvia & Maria from Brazil

Portland State University

Around the world, one billion people live with disabilities. This report argues that these individuals are being left behind regarding health. Lack of access not only goes against the rights of people with disabilities under international law but also poses a challenge to achieving better health services for one billion people with disabilities, which is essential for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goal 3. Most of these individuals are in low and middle-income countries and the poorest sections of society. People with disabilities encounter more obstacles in obtaining healthcare services and have less health coverage, leading to poorer health outcomes due to their higher healthcare needs.

Access to Healthcare

Kuper, H, Heydt, P. (2019). The mission billion: access to health services for 1 billion people with disabilities. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 2019. https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/TheMissingBillion

Access To Health Services For 1 Billion People With Disabilities

- Global policymakers
- Governments 
- Funders
- Implementers and Advocates

Recommendation for Stakeholders to Make Health Service More Accessible for People with Disability

- Healthcare needs to be more affordable
- Health workers' lack of skill
- Shortage of healthcare specialists
- Limited infrastructure
- Poor management and leadership

Common Barriers for People with Disabilities When Accessing Healthcare


- Pre-term births 
- Stillbirths 
- Malnourished
- Severe diarrhea 
- Serious illness
- HIV prevalence 
- Diabetes 
- Cardiovascular 
- Suicidal ideation
- Substances
- Reversible contraceptives 
- Access health services 
- Healthcare provider’s skills
- Healthcare expenditures
- Environmental risks

Health Gaps Experienced by People with Disability versus Normal People

- Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3) and Universal Health Care (UHC) goals 
- Complying with international law
- Improving health services for all through universal design
- Preventing unnecessary cost for the health system
- Achieving all SDGs

Learn Before

Related

Learn After