Final answer:
The statement is true; poor regions suffer from significant health issues due to the lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare, leading to high infant and maternal mortality rates and lower life expectancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the poorest regions of the world face major health issues, including high rates of infant and maternal death, low life expectancies, and inadequate sewage and water systems, is true. In these regions, the lack of access to clean water and basic sanitation resources significantly contributes to health problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report staggering disparities between low-income and high-income countries. For instance, babies born in poor countries are significantly more prone to dying in their first five years compared to those in wealthier nations. Low-income countries struggle with high infant mortality rates, insufficient medical personnel, and inadequate water and sewer systems, leading to a lower average life expectancy.
Factors such as inadequate sanitation measures, crowded living conditions, and a lack of access to healthcare further exacerbate these public health issues. UNICEF and the WHO have highlighted that billions lack access to safely managed drinking water sources, and a substantial portion of the world's population does not have access to safely managed sanitation services. This leads to high numbers of deaths, particularly in children, from diseases related to poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water.