Advocacy
UHC2030 reminds decision-makers that everyone should have access to an affordable core package of essential health services, including quality medicines. And no-one should be pushed into poverty when accessing these services.
The UHC promise
In 2015, 193 UN Member States adopted the Sustainable Development Goals. In doing so, they committed to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all by 2030. They promised to deliver this by achieving universal health coverage (SDG target 3.8). This means ensuring that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. In the context of the 2019 and 2023 UN high-level meetings and political declarations on UHC, UHC2030 was mandated to mobilize stakeholders to achieve this goal.
The current context
Despite these commitments, progress is largely off track. 4.5 billion people – more than half of the world’s population – still lack access to essential health services. Moreover, 2 billion people experience financial hardship and 1.3 billion people are pushed into poverty due to health expenses. It’s time for governments to invest in equitable and resilient health systems that are tailored to the needs of their populations and protect them from impoverishing health spending. This is best achieved through primary health care. Health systems must also be gender-responsive, as well as climate-resilient and adaptive. They should leverage digital opportunities to improve health outcomes and be based on rights and inclusive governance that involves all relevant stakeholders.
Raising awareness for UHC
In 2017, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing UHC2030 as the most relevant group to support Member States in developing and strengthening sustainable UHC initiatives at the national level. Building on this, and given its unique role as the leading global, multistakeholder platform uniting diverse actors committed to advancing UHC, UHC2030 coordinates UHC Day, the annual rallying point for the global movement for health for all.
Our current focus is financial protection, urging governments to adopt policies, programs, laws and budgets that guarantee the right to health while protecting people from impoverishing health spending.
Driving action for UHC
The means to achieve universal health coverage and health security is strengthening health systems. The most inclusive, equitable and cost-effective approach is primary health care.
The UHC2030 Secretariat aims to influence decisions by political, economic and social institutions to advance universal health coverage. To do so, it uses the Action Agenda from the UHC Movement, which provides action-oriented policy recommendations to strengthen resilient and equitable health systems, advance universal health coverage and health security, and deliver on the commitment to achieve health for all by 2030.
Supporting UHC advocates
At UHC2030, we provide evidence-based advocacy tools and materials to support and strengthen the direct actions that local activists take in their respective countries and communities, with the aim to achieve universal health coverage and health security. Here are some of the tools we prepared to ensure our common goals become a reality.
UHC advocacy guide
Targeting a wide range of advocates, the UHC Advocacy Guide provides an overview of what universal health coverage is, why it matters and how advocates can influence national-level policies and make meaningful health system reforms that leave no one behind.
Budget literacy toolkit
Health budget literacy is critical to influence decision-making on the allocation and use of public resources for health. Our Health budget literacy toolkit aims to strengthen the capacities of UHC advocates to hold governments to account for the level and use of health funding.
Election advocacy guide
Election outcomes can determine whether leaders prioritize and invest in the right to health. In collaboration with the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism, UHC2030 provides guidance for advocates wishing to promote UHC during elections in their countries.
