Poorer, Less-educated Populations Face Higher Chronic Disease Risks, Barriers To Care: Who

GENEVA, Oct 20 (Bernama-AA) -- Poorer and less-educated populations face greater risks of certain chronic diseases and barriers to diagnosis and treatment, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned Tuesday.

In its first global assessment of inequalities in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), the UN health agency examined disparities in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.

The report also assessed inequalities in risk factors, including tobacco use, obesity, unhealthy diets and air pollution.

Anadolu Ajansi reported that according to the findings, less-educated populations in low- and middle-income countries tend to have higher rates of hypertension and diabetes.

Poorer and less-educated women are also less likely to receive cervical cancer screening, the report found.

Rural populations face greater barriers to hypertension diagnosis and treatment, as well as cancer screening, than urban residents in many countries, according to the agency.

The report also highlighted gender-based disparities in chronic disease risks and access to healthcare.

Men are more likely to use tobacco and alcohol and less likely to receive hypertension diagnosis and treatment, the findings showed.

Women, meanwhile, face higher rates of insufficient physical activity and obesity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Younger adults with hypertension are also less likely to be diagnosed and treated than older patients, according to the report.

"We know that there are inequalities embedded in all aspects of health, but this is the first effort to systematically measure inequalities in NCDs and their risk factors on a global scale," said WHO expert Ahmad Reza Hosseinpoor.

The agency urged governments to strengthen prevention, screening and treatment services for underserved populations and improve data collection to identify gaps in healthcare access.

"Inequality data are not simply about documenting differences – they are a tool for action," said WHO Data Director Alain Labrique.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU