Today I had an inspirational online meeting with Mélanie Gréaux (Consultant, Sensory Functions, Disability & Rehabilitation (SDR) Unit) at the World Health Organization https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/sensory-functions-disability-and-rehabilitation working with Darryl Barrett (WHO Disability Program Lead). We discussed potential future collaborations that are very exciting.
The WHO Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities (2022) https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/sensory-functions-disability-and-rehabilitation/global-report-on-health-equity-for-persons-with-disabilities provides the latest global estimate of persons with disabilities: 1.3 billion people (or 16% of the global population). This shows a slight increase from the 2011 world report.
"Urgent action is needed
The report calls on WHO Member States to take action to advance health equity for persons with disabilities. It also invites civil society, including organizations of persons with disabilities, and other health partners, to collaborate and advocate for the implementation of the recommendations included in the report and achieve the highest attainable standard of health for all. It offers 40 targeted and comprehensive actions that countries can take to strengthen their health systems and reduce health inequities for persons with disabilities. Regardless of context and resources, all governments and health sector partners need to commit to firstly including health equity for persons with disabilities at the centre of health sector actions; secondly empowering and including persons with disabilities; and thirdly monitoring the outcomes for persons with disabilities."
I have been inspired by much of Mélanie's work - including this paper:
Gréaux, M., Moro, M. F., Kamenov, K., Russell, A. M., Barrett, D., & Cieza, A. (2023). Health equity for persons with disabilities: a global scoping review on barriers and interventions in healthcare services. International Journal for Equity in Health, 22(1), 236. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-02035-w
