Universal Health Coverage Partnership

The UHC Partnership helps deliver WHO’s support and technical expertise in advancing universal health coverage through a primary health care approach in 115 countries, representing a population of at least 3 billion people.

The UHC Partnership is one of WHO’s largest platforms for international cooperation on universal health coverage (UHC) and primary health care (PHC). It comprises a broad mix of health experts working hand in hand to promote UHC and PHC by fostering policy dialogue on strategic planning and health systems governance, developing health financing strategies and supporting their implementation, and enabling effective development cooperation in countries.

Our aim is to strengthen country capacities and reinforce the leadership of the Ministry of Health in building resilient and effective health systems in a sustainable manner. We bridge the gap between global commitments and country implementation on the ground.

Since its inception in 2011, the UHC Partnership has expanded ...

EHFG 2022: A moonshot for a true European Health Union. If not now, when?

Under the patronage of the Austrian Federal President, Alexander Van der Bellen, the European Health Forum Gastein will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2022 and take stock of the substantial accomplishments in public health over the last quarter century. At the same time, we will look forward and discuss the challenges and policy options for action urgently needed across sectors, borders, and disciplines at this watershed moment for health, security, and solidarity. This is the window of opportunity to co-create a true European Health Union! “Building forward better” requires fundamental transformation of the way our societies operate – and this can only be achieved through peace in Europe, supported by political will, collaboration, and unity.

A MOONSHOT FOR A TRUE EUROPEAN HEALTH UNION – IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

Only by shooting for the moon and leaving “business as usual” firmly in the past do we stand a chance of succeeding in our ...

The Post–COVID-19 Case for Primary Care

Much has been written and discussed about challenges faced by the US health care system, with most of it justifiably concerning the payment system for medical services, and how that leaves an unconscionably large proportion of US residents uninsured or underinsured for quality care. Although payment systems are undoubtedly a challenge and merit substantial conversation, the structure of US health care delivery also leaves much to be desired.

Central to that problem is the paucity of primary care physicians in the US. The approximately 200 000 active primary care physicians in the US represent about 30% of all active physicians, down from 32% about 10 years ago. About 28% of men and 17% of women report they do not have a primary care physician. The Council on Graduate Medical Education recommended an increase in the proportion of primary care physicians to 40%, a recommendation now further from reality than ...

UN General Assembly High-Level Meetings on health 2023: Universal Health Coverage