Summary

-Each year 100 million people slide into poverty as a result of medical care payments. Another 150 million people are forced to spend nearly half their incomes on medical expenses. That is because in many countries people have no access to social health protection -- affordable health insurance or government-funded health services.

-Families are forced to drop into the lower income bracket when an expensive medical issue causes them to salvage any money they are able to get to help their family member.