UHC Day 2023: 2bn people face financial hardship or are impoverished due to out-of-pocket health spending – WHO
12 December 2023
…Focuses on building resilience of health systems
On Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is calling on governments to prioritise investments in building resilient health systems to safeguard the health and well-being of all people, everywhere.
According to WHO, Global humanitarian needs have reached record levels with 360 million people in need worldwide.
At the same time, half the world’s population is not fully covered by essential health services and 2 billion people face financial hardship or are impoverished due to out-of-pocket health spending. Without urgent action, these gaps will only widen.
In an increasingly turbulent world, climate change, emergencies and other shocks will take an even greater toll on health systems and the people who need them most.
Over 40% of people in the world already live in areas highly susceptible to climate change. Over a quarter of the global population live in settings affected by protracted conflict, poverty and lack of access to basic health services.
“WHO was born 75 years ago on the conviction that health is a human right. And the best way to realize that right is universal health coverage,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Investing in resilient health systems, based on strong primary health care, is the most inclusive, equitable and cost-effective path towards universal health coverage.”
Health systems that can respond to shocks and withstand pressures are crucial to effectively reduce the world’s disease burden and avert the millions of additional deaths each year that are expected as a result of the climate crisis, avoidable environmental risks and complex health emergencies.
WHO and partners also held a series of events dedicated to UHC Day on 11 December.