Work

Universal Health Coverage and Social Protection: Evolution and Future Opportunities for Global Health Law and Equity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: From its beginnings in the 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata, universal health coverage (UHC) has been constantly evolving, notably so within the last ten years. Although the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals, which identify both UHC and social protection among its targets, represent an important juncture in this evolution, several States are unlikely to meet the 2030 target deadline. This article traces the history of UHC and social (health) protection in global health law, focusing on their development over the past ten years. It concludes by reflecting on what the future of UHC and social (health) protection should look like and what is needed to fully realize their potential to achieve equity and to meaningfully contribute to the betterment of people and planet, highlighting human rights, One Health, legal and financial considerations as key for the future.

Source: The Journal of Law Medicine & Ethics

DOI: 10.1017/jme.2025.3

Authors: Nicole D. Foster, Kimberley Benjamin, Pramiti Parwani, Katrina Perehudoff

Institutions: University of the West Indies, University of Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare Systems and Reforms

Subfield: Finance

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550