World | World Health Organization 1B Can't Afford Health Care: WHO Health costs push 100M into poverty yearly By Matt Cantor Posted Nov 22, 2010 10:19 AM CST Copied The General Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), Margaret Chan, introduces the world health report in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Nov. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) A billion people worldwide can’t afford health care, and paying for it drives 100 million people into poverty annually, a World Health Organization report says. The global report says all countries should seek creative ways to boost health-care efficiency and funding, Reuters reports. “For many, health services just don't exist,” says a WHO official. “As the world grapples with economic slowdown, globalization of disease, and growing demands for chronic care, the need for universal health coverage, and a strategy for financing it, has never been greater,” said the organization’s director. The World Health Report 2010 found that some 20%-40% of health spending is generally wasted on things like costly, unnecessary drugs and hospital inefficiencies; 5% could be saved through more efficient use of medicines. Read These Next That 'buy now, pay later' loan may soon hit your credit score. Cops: Arizona 5th graders drew up plot to 'end' a classmate. Hall of Famer Dave Parker dies The DOJ just fired 3 prosecutors tied to Capitol riot criminal cases. Report an error