Universal Health Coverage
Resilient health systems are essential to deliver on UHC goals.
Universal health coverage (UHC) progress is slowing. In 2021, 4.5 billion people lacked full coverage of essential health services. Despite gains in service coverage and global commitments, health systems remain fragile and inequitable. Primary health care (PHC)-centered systems are key to reversing this trend and delivering equitable, quality care for all.
Insights
Political: Global declarations have reaffirmed UHC, but political follow-through lags. Only sustained leadership will align policies with equity and resilience.
Economic: Financial hardship from health spending affects 2 billion people. Over-reliance on external aid in low-income settings hinders long-term sustainability.
Social: Service gaps persist for vulnerable populations; PHC underinvestment worsens inequalities in access and outcomes, especially in low-income regions.
Technological: Innovations in digital health, diagnostics, and supply chains remain underutilized due to weak integration into frontline services.
Legal: Countries struggle with policy implementation for International Health Regulations compliance and essential medicines access; regulatory gaps slow UHC progress.
Environmental: Pandemic, climate shocks, and supply disruptions reveal that resilient systems must be decentralized, adaptable, and locally equipped.
Reflective Questions
How can health financing lower out-of-pocket costs and aid dependency in low-income settings?
What strategies can expand access to care while strengthening PHC and the health workforce?
How can countries turn UHC commitments into resilient, local service models?
Related Insight Cards
References:
World Health Organization and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank, 2023. Tracking universal health coverage: 2023 global monitoring report. Geneva: World Health Organization and The World Bank. Available at: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/374059
United Nations, 2024. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024. New York: United Nations. Available at: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2024/
