Global health funding and economic development

Abstract

The impact of increased national wealth, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), on public health is widely understood, however an equally important but less well-acclaimed relationship exists between improvements in health and the growth of an economy. Communicable diseases such as HIV, TB, Malaria and the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are impacting many of the world's poorest and most vulnerable populations, and depressing economic development. Sickness and disease has decreased the size and capabilities of the workforce through impeding access to education and suppressing foreign direct investment (FDI). There is clear evidence that by investing in health improvements a significant increase in GDP per capita can be attained in four ways: Firstly, healthier populations are more economically productive; secondly, proactive healthcare leads to decrease in many of the additive healthcare costs associated with lack of care (treating opportunistic infections in the case of HIV for example); thirdly, improved health represents a real economic and developmental outcome in-and-of itself and finally, healthcare spending capitalises on the Keynesian 'economic multiplier' effect. Continued under-investment in health and health systems represent an important threat to our future global prosperity. This editorial calls for a recognition of health as a major engine of economic growth and for commensurate investment in public health, particularly in poor countries.

Government Health Care Spending and Child Mortality

“…Specifically, reduced health care spending may reduce GDP per capita, as (1) less healthy populations are less productive economically, and (2) reduced investments in health care and weaker efforts toward preventive measures can result in worsened outcomes, development of more severe disease, and requirements for more expensive care. 27 Therefore, reductions in GHS may culminate in greater costs to a nation's economy. 28 Our analysis has also shown that cuts in GHS adversely affect child health to a greater scale in low-income countries.…”

Funding Research for Neglected Infectious Diseases: An Investment in the Future

“…Many deaths are associated with neglected diseases each year, but research to find a cure is still not a priority. Even though these diseases account for 90% of the global disease burden only 10% of global investment in health research is put towards developing cures (3). Every year ten million children die in low-income countries due to the contraction of neglected diseases (3).…”

Public health and research funding for childhood neurodevelopmental disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa: a time to balance priorities

“…1 This linkage in disproportionate increase in developmental delays and intellectual disabilities was once termed as new morbidity and was one of the impetuses for the emergence of the special needs movement in the US. 2 Many of these children are showing declines in cognitive functioning, delays in language skills, as well as poor motor and social skills.…”