Health financing in the context of the right to health 2012, para. 54

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Paragraph text: The situation of indigenous populations around the world demonstrates this problem. In many States, indigenous communities are vulnerable as a group owing to persistent poverty, historical marginalization and political disempowerment. These challenges are exacerbated by the fact that indigenous populations traditionally live in rural and remote areas that often lack public infrastructure, including health facilities. Indigenous populations in all parts of the world experience worse health outcomes than non-indigenous populations as a result. For example, indigenous populations in three different countries faced infant mortality rates 3 times higher, suicide rates 11 times higher and the prevalence of poor sanitation 7 times higher than non-indigenous populations. The right to health approach requires States to allocate health funds and resources between rural, remote and urban areas equitably in order to respect and fulfil the right to health of vulnerable and marginalized groups living in these areas.

Body: Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health

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Person(s) affected