Universal health coverage: The third global health transition?

摘要

As the world's nations gather for the UN meetings in September, 2012, real momentum on achievement of universal health coverage—aimed at giving everyone the health services they need without causing financial hardship—is no longer a distant dream. The 25 wealthiest nations all now have some form of universal coverage (apart from the USA, where political opposition remains strong, despite a recent supportive Supreme Court decision).1 Several middle-income countries, including Brazil, Mexico, and Thailand do as well. Lower-income nations, such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Rwanda, and Ghana are working towards it; India, South Africa, and China are making progress too. According to WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, universal health coverage "is the single most powerful concept that public health has to offer".