Financial health starts with strong health financing

The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) was a critical opportunity to close the health financing gap and invest in health systems that respond to people’s needs and protect them from impoverishing health costs.   

The ongoing climate crisis, geopolitical tensions, conflicts and macro-economic challenges mean it is more important than ever to build equitable and resilient communities and economies. This starts with smart investments in health.  

At FfD4, which took place from 30 June to 3 July 2025 with the theme “Financing our Future”, UHC2030 and partners called for a global commitment to close the health financing gap and build health systems that respond to people’s needs and protect them from impoverishing health costs.  

Our #InvestInHealth social media campaign emphasized that universal health coverage (UHC) is a foundation for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. With public domestic health spending stagnating, external aid becoming increasingly fragmented and volatile, and 40% of the world’s population living in countries where debt interest payments are greater than expenditure in health or education, the need to invest in health systems has never been greater.  

Reminding leaders that investing in UHC boosts national economies, we urged them to: 

• Mobilize domestic resources for health
• Use health taxes (tobacco, alcohol, sugary drinks) to raise revenue and save lives
• Align official development assistance with country health strategies
• Create fiscal space by addressing debt servicing pressures 

We saw strong health initiatives at FfD4, including WHO’s 3 by 35 tax initiative targeting tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks to cut deaths and boost health and development funding, and Spain’s initiative to renew the global health ecosystem. We also celebrated the reiterated commitment to increase investment in UHC in the final outcome document, the Sevilla compromiso, as well as the continued leadership of countries such as Nigeria in reminding the world that health is smart policy and an investment with high returns.  

By the end of the conference, world leaders pledged to end poverty, reduce inequalities, and increase investment in UHC and inclusive, equitable, affordable, resilient and quality health systems. Celebrating these important commitments, we urged world leaders stay true to their word by implementing the calls to action from the WHA78 Resolution on Strengthening Health Financing Globally, which include: 

• Reducing out-of-pocket expenditure and focusing on government revenue as the primary source of financing.
• Pooling government funds to reduce fragmentation and out-of-pocket expenditure at the point of care.
• Prioritizing health in public budgets.
• Focusing domestic resources on an affordable package of essential health benefits.
• Developing and implementing policies and reforms to address fragmentation and promote coherent and aligned health financing systems that protect people from impoverishing health costs.
• Designing and streamlining processes to transition smoothly and sustainably from external assistance to robust domestic financing for health. 

It’s time to turn commitment into sustained action and investment for equitable and resilient health systems. Because there is no financial health without good health and well-being.