As the UNFPA publication, The State of the World Population 2002, points out, poor health is a cause as well as an effect of income poverty. It diminishes personal capacity, lowers productivity and reduces earnings. The effect of ill health on productivity and earnings is likely to be greater on the poor. Part of the reason for this is that low-paid, less-educated workers are more likely to do physically demanding and often unsafe work in which they can easily be replaced. The general levels of health and well-being of the poor are lower, than that of the better off. Poor communities typically lack primary health facilities, essential medicines and vaccinations. The poor are more exposed to communicable disease and are likely to have less resistance to it. They are more likely to live in hazardous environments, to get less than average nutrition and less access to clean water. Their housing offers less protection from the weather and is more likely to be overcrowded.

 High prevalence of disease in a country goes hand in hand with poor economic performance. By the same token, higher life expectancy, key indicator of health status, stimulates economic growth.