Policy Brief - Universal Health Coverage
Policy Brief - Universal Health Coverage
Policy Brief - Universal Health Coverage
The Problem:
The World Health Organization reports at least half of the world’s population lacks
sufficient coverage for vital healthcare services. More than 800 million people
(approximately 12 percent of the world’s population) spend at least 10 percent of
their household income to pay for health care, according to WHO. The world spent an
astounding $7.3 trillion on healthcare, which represents close to 10 percent of global
Gross Domestic Product in 2015 alone. 1 In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs),
health insurance programs often cover only a small proportion of the population,
leaving the majority of residents without dependable health coverage. In the United
States, there is strong scientific evidence that lack of insurance leads to tens of
thousands of deaths every year. 2
About 100 million people fall into financial ruin because of healthcare expenditure,
said Rudiger Krech, World Health Organization director for health systems and
innovation. The findings released in Tracking Universal Health Coverage: 2017 Global
Monitoring Report revealed that large numbers of households are being pushed into
poverty each year because they must pay for health care out of pocket. For millions
1
“Universal Health Coverage (UHC)” http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/universal-health-
coverage-(uhc)
2
“Uninsured” http://www.pnhp.org/mortality
of people, these expenses are high enough to push them into extreme poverty,
causing them to live on just $1.90 or less a day. 3
"It is completely unacceptable that half the world still lacks coverage for the most
essential health services. And it is unnecessary. A solution exists: universal health
coverage (UHC) allows everyone to obtain the health services they need, when and
where they need them, without facing financial hardship."- Dr Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO.4 According to the World Health Organization,
universal health coverage means that all people can use the promotive, preventive,
curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality
to be effective, while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the
user to financial hardship. 5
It is our duty to humanity to ensure all people have the opportunity to achieve their
fullest health potential. The resources exist. The urgency is building. A paradigm shift
is palpable as the UN High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage is approaching
on September 26, 2019. We must build on this momentum as we advocate for this
4“World Bank and WHO: Half the world lacks access to essential health services, 100 million still pushed into
extreme poverty because of health expenses”
http://www.who.int/news-room/detail/13-12-2017-world-bank-and-who-half-the-world-lacks-access-to-essential-
health-services-100-million-still-pushed-into-extreme-poverty-because-of-health-expenses
5 “Universal Health Coverage (UHC)” http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/universal-health-coverage-
(uhc)
6 “WHO: Universal Health Coverage Saves People from Financial Ruin” https://www.voanews.com/a/who-universal-
health-coverage/4336668.html
12/2/2018
www.strategicpublichealth.com