The right to health for people living in poverty: a human rights perspective

Mette Hartlev

Chapter 22 in Research Handbook on Human Rights and Poverty, 2026, pp 382-397 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Deprivation of basic social goods is a characteristic of poverty. As health is shaped by access to social determinants, such as water, housing, and supply of nutritious food, there is a clear link between poverty and poor health, and individuals living in poverty are at greater risk of being exposed to communicable and non-communicable diseases. Likewise, poor health conditions have an impact on individuals’ opportunities to sustain themselves and their families. Altogether, socially disadvantaged people with poor health conditions are easily caught in a poverty trap. This chapter explores the link between poverty and the right to health, including the impact new health technologies such as precision medicine, AI and big data may have on access to health for individuals living in poverty. It argues that to break the vicious circle between poverty and health, it is necessary to employ a human rights-based approach with an emphasis on empowering and engaging citizens.

Keywords: Right to health; Poverty; Human rights-based approach; New health technologies; Non-discrimination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035350506
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