14.3.2 Population Vulnerability: Economic
Socio-economic vulnerability means that low-income countries are relatively
less able to purchase and maintain resources and technology to protect and promote
population health. Increases in information, education, transportation and social
services can promote good health and reduce the potential health impacts of
climate change. There is a strong positive relationship between absolute poverty
and ill health (WHO, 1992). Deprived communities, which lack wealth, social
institutions, environmental security and robust health, are likely to be at
the greatest risk of adverse health from environmental change.
This constitutes a powerful argument for policies to reduce poverty. Inequalities
in income both within and between countries may be an important cause of vulnerability
to the health impacts of climate change. Within countries, this can only be
achieved by income redistribution, full employment, better housing and improved
public health infrastructure. In a world that is currently dominated by market-driven
economics, and by associated evidence of a widening gap between rich and poor,
this presents a major challenge to national governments and international agencies.
Macroeconomic policies have major influences on population health in all countries,
yet are usually established with little or no consideration of health impacts
(WHO, 1992). For example, income tax reductions measures taken under regimes
of structural adjustment policies in some countries have led to cutbacks in
health services and increased the disease burden. Improvement in population
health requires increased consideration of equity, and how risks are distributed
among populations. Both existing and future-potential environmental health problems
share many of the same underlying causes related to poverty, inequality, excessive
consumption in affluent groups and population growth.
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