This indicator assesses the extent to which out-of-pocket healthcare expenses exacerbate existing economic hardships for vulnerable populations. Specifically, it highlights the percentage of individuals in a nation whose household expenditures on non-health essentials remain below the $3.65 poverty threshold, yet find themselves further financially strained due to necessary health-related costs. These expenses encompass all forms of health services—ranging from routine check-ups to emergency treatments—regardless of the provider or care setting. By quantifying this burden, the indicator sheds light on the intersection of health policy and poverty reduction efforts, emphasizing the critical need for health financing reforms and social protection mechanisms that safeguard low-income households from the adverse effects of high healthcare costs.
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