|Disabilities affect 140-180 million people in the Americas|
Disabilities affect 140-180 million people in the Americas
On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is calling for the removal of barriers that endanger the health and restrict the participation of the estimated Credit:Fernando Sendra,Champion of Health of PAHO/WHO 140-180 million people with disabilities in
the Americas. Globally, some 15% of the world’s population—about 1 billion people—live with some type of disability, according to WHO’s 2011 World Report on Disabilities. In the coming years, disability rates are expected to grow as a result of population aging and the rise of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health problems.