Informal workers face substantial risks and vulnerabilities due to insecurity surrounding their employment status and lack of control of the conditions of their employment. In addition, informal workers have limited access to affordable and appropriate health care for themselves and their families, and they may not seek care if they have insecure legal status, or due to the potential expense or loss of income. The combination of high vulnerabilities and inadequate social protections (including insufficient access to affordable health services) results in high incidences of injury, illness, susceptibility to chronic diseases and poverty.