Price of Good Health

Five of the United Nations’ eight millennium goals – eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability – are directly tied to health. The other three – achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and partnering on development – also boost health standards. Assistance on developmental health increased soon after the UN released the goals in 2000, reports the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Spending has leveled off in recent years despite $1 billion spending on Ebola in 2014. Contagious diseases and challenges associated with poverty, lack of education, gender inequality or environmental problems quickly leap borders, and global investment on health is done in a patchwork way. “Overall, the world has donated $227.9 billion to global health projects in poor countries since 2000,” writes Amy Nordrum for International Business Times. “For comparison, Qatar is expected to spend roughly $200 billion on preparations to host the 2022 World Cup.” Gains have been made, including malaria rates dropping by 50 percent, yet targets for spending are often based on donor fears and whims. – YaleGlobal