Global leaders urged to ensure all people can access essential health services

On the second annual Universal Health Coverage Day yesterday, a coalition of more than 700 organisations in 116 countries came together to say that universal health coverage was right, smart, and overdue. The coalition urged world leaders to deliver on promises to achieve universal health coverage because health is a human right that reduces poverty, fuels economic growth, and builds resilience to threats from disease outbreaks to climate change.

On Universal Health Coverage Day 2015, hundreds of millions of people worldwide are still waiting for access to lifesaving health services or fall into poverty paying for needed health care. To address these inequities, more than 100 countries across the income spectrum have begun working toward universal health coverage, increasingly demonstrating its feasibility.

"When The Rockefeller Foundation first began its work to advance universal health coverage, it seemed to many to be a pipedream. Today, we are truly inspired to see how rapidly support for universal health coverage has grown, including its recent recognition in the Sustainable Development Goals," said Judith Rodin, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. "Universal health coverage is key to building resilient health systems that make both people and planet healthier in the face the increasingly common shocks and stresses posed by climate change, urbanisation, and globalisation."

Universal Health Coverage Day, inaugurated by The Rockefeller Foundation, marks the anniversary of the United Nations' unanimous 2012 resolution urging governments to ensure universal access to quality health care without financial hardship.

"Universal health coverage is one of the most powerful social equalisers among all policy options," said Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organisation. "The global community has recognised this approach as a pro-poor pillar of sustainable development that builds social cohesion and stability – valued assets for every country."