Universal health is about ensuring that all people and communities have access to health services without discrimination of any kind and without suffering financial hardship.
Key actions for Universal Health
1. Expanding equitable Access
2. Strengthening stewardship and governance.
3. Increasing and improving financing
4. Strengthening intersectoral coordination
Health in the Americas is PAHO's flagship report about the status of Health in the Americas.
The self-learning course on the Strategy for Universal Health and Universal Health Coverage course is available on the Virtual Campus platform (only in Spanish but soon in English)
World Health Day
World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. Each year a theme is selected that highlights a priority area of public health. The Day provides an opportunity for individuals in every community to get involved in activities that can lead to better health.
Everyone has a part to play, sparking conversations and contributing to dialogue on policies that can help your country achieve and maintain universal health.
Learn how PAHO engages a social dialogue among all actors to seek innovative ways to accelerate countries’ efforts toward universal health.
Universal Health in numbers
3 out of 10 people do not seek health care for financial reasons
2 out of 10 people do not seek medical care due to geographical barriers
66% of the remommended percentage is invested in health based on the each country GDP
5 countries of 52 of the Americas allocate over 6% of their wealth (GDP) to public health
Guaranteeing the right to health means eliminating all kinds of barriers to accessing services
Dr. Carissa F. Etienne
Director of the Pan American Health Organization