A UN report launched on 16 May by WHO and UNICEF says many people cannot access assistive technology. In some low- and middle-income countries access is as low as three per cent.
The report says more than 3.5 billion people will need one or more assistive products by 2050 because of population ageing and the rise in non-communicable diseases. At present about 2.5 billion people need such products.
The report notes practical problems such as long travel distances and high costs. Around two-thirds of users pay out of pocket and others rely on family help. It calls on governments and industry to fund and include these devices in universal health coverage.
Difficult words
- assistive technology — devices that help people with daily tasks
- access — ability to reach or use somethingaccess is
- non-communicable disease — long-term illnesses not spread between peoplenon-communicable diseases
- population ageing — increase in average age of a country's people
- out of pocket — paid directly by a person, not by insurance
- universal health coverage — health services and costs provided for everyone
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Discussion questions
- Do you know someone who uses an assistive product? How does it help them?
- What problems could make it hard for people to get these devices where you live?
- Who do you think should pay for assistive devices: families, government, or companies? Why?
