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. Hall of Famer Dave Parker dies Cops: Arizona 5th graders drew up plot to 'end' a classmate. Senate will grind it out this weekend for Trump's spending bill. Report an error