Universal Health Coverage Day
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day on 12 December is the annual rallying point for the global movement for health for all. It marks the anniversary of the United Nations’ historic and unanimous endorsement of universal health coverage in 2012.
On 12 December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC) as an essential priority for international development.
In 2014, the Universal Health Coverage Coalition started celebrating 12 December as UHC Day, to commemorate the date on which the UN General Assembly officially recognised the importance of UHC. Since then, the day has become the annual rallying point for the global movement for Health for All.
In 2017, the UNGA proclaimed 12 December as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) by resolution, making it an official UN-designated day.
UHC Day aims to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and universal health coverage. Each year on 12.12, UHC advocates raise their voices to share the stories of the millions of people worldwide still waiting for health, to call on leaders to make bigger and smarter investments in health, and to remind the world that Health for All is a human right and an imperative to create equitable and resilient societies.
The 2025 UHC Day campaign theme was “Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!”
The theme focused on the lived experience of people facing financial barriers to health services, elevating their stories to illustrate that unaffordable health costs are making our communities poorer and sicker, with hundreds of millions of people struggling to afford healthcare or giving up basic needs to get the care they need for their families. Focusing on social participation and advocacy, the campaign pushed for immediate, tangible action to uphold the right to health.
The bold visual and people-centred designs and messages inspired voices from countries in every region around the world to ring out on 12 December in support of UHC. The campaign materials featured prominently on social media, and the theme was included in many online articles. Campaigner engagement was positive and has paved the way for continued promotion of UHC Day and the key messages through the year and in the lead up to the 2026 campaign.
For a recap of country engagement, key campaign events and initiatives, media coverage, advocacy highlights, and a spotlight on the 2025 UHC champions, read the report.
UHC2030's role
Since our establishment in 2016, UHC2030 has supported the organization of UHC Day events. But our role is growing.
Another 2017 UNGA resolution also recognised UHC2030 as the most relevant group to support to Member States in developing and strengthening sustainable UHC initiatives at the national level. Building on this experience and mandate, UHC2030 is uniquely positioned to coordinate partners around UHC Day across the world and is now leading these efforts.
Leading transparently and collaboratively, UHC2030 convenes a multi-stakeholder Coordination Group on International UHC Day (12.12.CG) that includes Member States, multilateral organisations, health-related initiatives, civil society, parliamentarians, philanthropic foundations, the private sector and academia.
The 12.12.CG is responsible for developing the identity and campaign materials for UHC Day, building on the existing efforts of other relevant UHC initiatives.
