Africa overview: Data, social determinants, and better decision-making for health

A lack of access to medicines each year contributes to millions of deaths and untold suffering in Africa. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria—all of which are treatable with existing medicines—kill approximately 6 million people every year, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. This burden ultimately falls on the poor, women and especially children. Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, challenges regarding access to medicines can be attributed to a wide range of factors, including the unavailability or affordability of drugs, the absence of medical
information and tracking system, and a lack of access to transportation services. To address the lack of access to medicines within Africa, decision-makers must ensure that data on the social determinants of health contributes to better, more transparent, and more accountable governance and that decisions about investments in any sector are made with health as a consideration.