“Socio-economic vulnerability means that low-income countries are relatively less able to purchase and maintain resources and technology to protect and promote population health. Increases in information, education, transportation and social services can promote good health and reduce the potential health impacts of climate change. There is a strong positive relationship between absolute poverty and ill-health. Deprived communities, lacking wealth, social institutions, environmental security and robust health, are likely to be at greatest risk of adverse health from environmental change. This constitutes a powerful argument for policies to reduce poverty. Inequalities in income both within and between countries may be an important cause of vulnerability to the health impacts of climate change.” Source: IPCC, 2000.