Inequities among the very poor:

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa has the poorest overall health indicators of any region of the world. Its estimated under-5-year mortality rate of 173 per 1000 live births is almost twice that of south Asia, the second-highest mortality region, and nearly 30 times higher than the rate in developed countries. Furthermore, child mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa seem to be increasing. In spite of this disturbing picture, few studies have been done to assess socioeconomic inequities in health in African countries.