Contrary to popular belief, the main problem with the fair distribution of healthcare services is not a lack of funding, but rather a lack of knowledge—both on the part of doctors and patients. The authors demonstrate that many doctors and most patients do not understand the available information regarding the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Particularly in the central issue of the risk-benefit ratios of medical examinations or treatments, many doctors are true risk illiterates. This lack of understanding is especially detrimental, as the marketing of examination and treatment procedures exploits this situation and often relies on misleading statistics. As a result, for example, millions are wasted on continuing to perform Pap smears on women who have had their cervix removed.