RT Journal
A1 Bauchner H, Frenk J
T1 HEalth, economics, and the 2012 g8 summit
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2012
FD May 16
VO 307
IS 19
SP 2102
OP 2104
DO 10.1001/jama.2012.4874
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.4874
AB 
Health and economics are inextricably linked. Health constitutes a vigorous sector of the economy, with effects on inflation, employment, and competitiveness. The World Health Organization estimates that health systems worldwide absorb approximately 10% of the world economy—about US $6 trillion.1 Differences in health expenditures, however, are huge. For instance, the United States spends more than $7000 per capita on health, whereas Eritrea spends less than US $10. For low- and middle-income countries, committing more financial resources to health is a complicated and difficult decision, because most nations face many competing priorities. Nor will improving the health of the world's population be possible unless there is global economic recovery. Enlightened ministers of finance realize that better health contributes to sustainable economic growth through its effects on improved productivity.