Disability and poverty in Cambodia

This project estimated the relationship between disability and poverty in Cambodia using national living standards data. The direct cost associated with having a member with disabilities is estimated to be 19% of monthly household consumption expenditure. Accounting for the direct costs of disability doubles the poverty rate among households with disabled members. Only 7% of the direct costs of disability are currently being met by government and family sources. The results of this research has generated significant local media interest including an article in the leading daily national newspaper, The Cambodia Daily.

Researchers

Barbara McPake [Nossal Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dental and Health Sciences, UoM]

Michael Palmer [Nossal Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dental and Health Sciences, UoM]

Jenny Williams [Faculty of Business and Economics, UoM]

Ngin Soarath [Cambodia Disabled People's Organisation]

Ek Chanmakara [Disability Action Council]

Research outputs

Palmer, M. 2017. Health care utilization of persons with disabilities in Cambodia: Based on the Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey 2014. World Heatlh Organization.

Working paper: Palmer, M., Williams, J., McPake, B. 2016. The Cost of Disability in a Low-Income Country. The University of Melbourne.

Media and events

Very few disabled Cambodians receive Government aid, study shows, The Cambodia Daily, November 1, 2016.

Does Cambodia really care about its disabled?, The Diplomat, November 3, 2016.