In many regions, some of the most formidable enemies of health are joining forces with the allies of poverty to impose a double burden of disease, disability and premature death in many societies. This paper takes a look at the main financial sources used by household to finance household healthcare. It examines the spatial and socio-economic dynamics and the challenges this poses to health and development. Data from the Ghana 2003 World Health Survey (WHS) are analyzed descriptively.

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... ely 40% of households depend on more than one financial source with 88% depending on household income to finance household healthcare expenditure. The high dependency on household income will erode gains in the economic and health sector in the midst of global economic recession. Comprehensive reforms with national health insurance program that covers emerging disease conditions will mitigate the strain of the double burden of disease on households in emerging economies.