Currently, at least half of the people in the world do not receive the health services they need.1
- The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted essential services in 92% of countries at the height of the pandemic in 2021. In 2022, 84% of countries still reported disruptions.1
- Over 1 billion people are at risk of falling into poverty due to out-of-pocket health spending of 10% or more of their household budget.1
The ramifications of not being able to access healthcare impact families and may have implications in how a household functions including finances. Universal health coverage has the potential to help people avoid poverty, as it works to prevent the financial hardship associated with high cost and unexpected medical expenses.2
To help raise awareness for the need for strong, resilient health systems, the United Nations General Assembly declared 12 December International Universal Health Coverage Day. The day is dedicated to encouraging diverse groups to help move the world to universal healthcare and support millions of people who are under served.3
Investing in inclusive health systems is critical to our shared global future, with countries around the world making commitments to advancing universal healthcare.4 Sharing our collective experience, knowledge and energy can help provide people with access to the care they need to help them pursue the lives they deserve.
As a part of UnitedHealth Group, we are committed to making universal healthcare a reality, because we believe everyone deserves to live healthier lives. Last year alone, we helped close more than 148 million gaps in care, ensuring more people accessed essential preventive services.5 We're investing in the future of healthcare by supporting over 1,300 current and aspiring health professionals in advancing their careers.5 Our pursuit of health equity is at the heart of our mission, driving our sustainability efforts to create a modern health system and a healthier environment for all.
Sources
1: https://www.who.int/health-topics/universal-health-coverage#tab=tab_1
2: https://universalhealthcoverageday.org/
3: https://www.un.org/en/observances/universal-health-coverage-day
4: https://www.uhc2030.org/what-we-do/voices/accountability/the-state-of-uhc-commitment/
5: https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/sustainability-report/2023/pdf/2023-UHG-Sustainability-Report.pdf