Disabilities and Poverty: A Vicious Circle
A Strong Link
The link between disabilities, poverty, and social exclusion is direct and strong throughout the world. A disability is both a cause and a consequence of poverty. They reinforce each other and contribute to increased vulnerability and exclusion of people with disabilities.
What Does Poverty Mean?
What Does Poverty Mean?
- Poor nutrition
- Dangerous working and living conditions
- No or limited access to basic health care (e.g., health and maternal care, vaccination programmes)
- No education and vocational training opportunities
- Poor hygiene and bad sanitation
- Lack of information about causes of impairments
In which way are poverty and disabilities linked?
Poor people are at a greater risk of becoming disabled than people who are not poor. According to UN Figures in Overcoming Obstacles to the Integration of Disabled People, global causes of disabilities are as follows:
Practically, this means that in the countries where CBM is supporting partners, most disabilities are directly or indirectly linked to poverty.
Behind the Figures are Faces
As many as 50% of disabilities worldwide are preventable and directly linked to poverty.
Read more: How The Vicious Circle Is Closed
Further information: Disability and Development - The Millenium Development Goals
Go back: Important Issues
- Accident, trauma, or war: 16%
- Infectious diseases: 11%
- Non-infectious diseases: 20%
- Congenital diseases: 20%
- Other causes (including aging): 13%
- Malnutrition: 20%
Practically, this means that in the countries where CBM is supporting partners, most disabilities are directly or indirectly linked to poverty.
Behind the Figures are Faces
- Children are often disabled as a result of malnutrition.
- According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 20 million women suffer from disabilities as a result of pregnancy and childbirth.
As many as 50% of disabilities worldwide are preventable and directly linked to poverty.
Read more: How The Vicious Circle Is Closed
Further information: Disability and Development - The Millenium Development Goals
Go back: Important Issues
