Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer rates skyrocketing:

Late diagnosis due to lack of screening programs.

Cost barriers to insulin, antihypertensives, statins.

Many countries still lack national cancer screening (breast, colon, cervical).

High out-of-pocket spending pushes families into poverty

Causes: postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, sepsis.

Contributing factors:

Poor antenatal coverage

Skilled birth attendants lacking

Cultural barriers delaying care

Limited emergency obstetric care access

Rural areas have 2–10× fewer physicians per capita.

Limited access to specialist care, diagnostic imaging, emergency services.

Higher maternal and infant mortality in rural areas (South Asia, Central Asia).

Lack of reliable transport → delayed treatment for trauma, MI, stroke.