Healthcare Inequities for Disabled Individuals
Globally, 1.3 billion people live with disabilities and face significantly higher disease prevalence compared to others. Despite their greater healthcare needs, they encounter numerous challenges in accessing necessary care. Removing systemic barriers is essential, but equally critical is addressing obstacles within specific disease care pathways to ensure equitable healthcare access.
Women with disabilities in South Korea are twice as unlikely to complete cervical cancer treatment successfully.
For instance, in the case of cervical cancer, health inequities have a profound impact on outcomes for women with disabilities. These women face a 1.4 times higher mortality risk, as they are only half as likely as their non-disabled counterparts to complete successful treatment. This disparity highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve care pathways and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Addressing these challenges requires a dual approach: eliminating widespread systemic barriers and tailoring solutions to specific diseases and conditions. By focusing on both, healthcare systems can ensure that people with disabilities receive the comprehensive, equitable care they need and deserve.
