PAI’s President and CEO Responds to the Economist Impact’s Health Inclusivity Index

Washington, DC – The Economist Impact launched Phase 2 of the Health Inclusivity Index (HII) last week with results indicating that most people worldwide experience barriers to accessing healthcare. Phase 2 builds on phase 1 of the Index, which assessed health inclusivity policy in 40 countries, integrating the findings from a survey of over 42,000 individuals in Index countries worldwide.

Health inclusivity is defined as the process of removing personal, social, cultural and political barriers that prevent individuals and communities from experiencing good physical and mental health. One of the insights included was PAI’s president and CEO and HII Expert Advisory Group Member, Nabeeha Kazi Hutchins, who is quoted within the Index noting the intersectional issues of safety, security and health. In the report, Hutchins notes:  “These two issues are very much linked. When there is housing insecurity, we also see significant insecurity in health and growing health inequities. In all cases, whether it be health, housing, or education, those who are disproportionately affected are women and girls.”

Hutchins issued the following statement in support of the publication:

“The Economist Impact’s 2023 Health Inclusivity Index reinforces the critical interplay across policy, social, cultural and personal realities to ensure healthy, vibrant communities.

The most significant inequities in health access prevail in communities where health services and information are not available in reliable manners. When health systems do not account for socio-economic and cultural barriers, lack resources to consistently offer consultations, commodities and care, and cannot meet the expressed needs of communities, trust is eroded, access to care is strained and investment in public health is underutilized.

Eliminating health disparities means improving and sustaining access to health information and health services, and it means progress for all people. Policies and health systems should be designed to include communities most affected by health inequities and meet them where they are with the information they want and need.  In addition, increasing investments in civil society and community-based efforts to build trust in and awareness of health services are essential for improving health outcomes – especially for women, youth and at-risk communities who face a high health burden but can also catalyze the most remarkable change.”