Despite the increase in life expectancy, a United Nations (UN) report reveals that universal health coverage has stalled in all regions of the world, while health inequalities are on the rise; therefore, it urges governments to expand national health budget allocations to ensure universal health coverage and reduce health inequalities.
«Universal health coverage is possible even in relatively poor countries and can provide sustainable benefits for population health and economic growth. To make it feasible, national financial commitments must grow significantly,» the report states.
Presented within the 58th sessions of the Commission on Population and Development taking place between April 7th and 11th in New York (USA), the report indicates that addressing health with a lifecycle approach is essential: with investments in pediatrics, adopting healthy habits during adolescence, and ensuring ongoing access to healthcare during pre-adolescence and beyond.
The report notes that since 2000, life expectancy has increased by over 10 years in Africa and more than 9 years in South Asia, HIV cases have decreased by 50 percent, and mortality rates for children under five, tobacco consumption, and traffic accidents have all decreased.
However, it emphasizes: «The progress over the last 10 years has been much less encouraging, with a stagnation in maternal mortality, a slowdown in the progress of under-five mortality, and an increase in rates of obesity, diabetes, dementia, and mental disorders.»
Furthermore, it points out that worldwide, universal health coverage has stalled, while health inequalities and «catastrophic» expenses have increased, «when out-of-pocket health expenditures represent 40% or more of their ability to pay.»
At the same time, recent health emergencies (including Covid-19) have revealed the fragility of health response capacity. The report also emphasizes that insufficient investments contribute to unnecessary morbidity and premature mortality.
Therefore, Secretary-General António Guterres urges governments to expand national health financial commitments and accelerate the hiring and retention of qualified healthcare workers through competitive salaries. In this regard, the text highlights the fact that 47 percent of the global health workforce serves only 22% of the world’s population.
It also supports the growth of midwives to support mothers and children, and healthcare workers to address mental disorders, as well as the training of community health workers to act as a «first-response team» in emergency situations.
It also encourages governments to promote technological innovation and the benefits of improving diagnosis and digitalization, including telemedicine. Useful policies for cost containment include the use of generic drugs, pricing, purchasing efficiency, waste reduction, and fraud prevention.
