Among the major themes which are spontaneously listed on development by French people, access to health care is one of the most frequent. For example, when questioned on priorities for Sahel countries, French people put health issues ahead of security.

This is because health is seen as one the ’basic needs’ such as food and nutrition, access to clean drinking water, and education. It is also because concern about health issues in developing countries masks a concern about epidemics which could easily cross geographical borders to reach developed countries.

Among the major elements which frequently arise as issues of concern in focus groups discussing this issue are maternal and neo-natal health.