‘We found that while cash transfers can have a positive impact on older people’s access to health services, their effectiveness was limited by low coverage and inadequate benefit levels. Improving income security through social protection mechanisms, such as universal pensions, alongside health promotion activities targeted at older people, can provide a useful way for supporting better access to health services.’

In the context of increasing national and international commitment towards achieving universal health coverage, and the need to address ageing and health issues in all countries, cash transfers are a potential strategy in removing some of the barriers to accessing health care for older people. But what does the evidence say?

Flavia Galvani, Social Protection Policy Officer at HelpAge International, discusses Age International’s study into the impact of cash transfers on older people’s access to health, on The Lancet Global Health Blog.

Read full article here: Do cash transfers help older people to access health services? | The Lancet Global Health Blog