Simplifying the universal health coverage narrative can help to achieve political action

Abstract

The narrative on universal health coverage should be centred around four core elements: universality, equity, adequate financing, and preparedness in public health emergencies, write Katri Bertram and Justin Koonin Universal health coverage means that “all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.”1 All United Nations member states have committed to make progress towards universal health coverage. Despite two high level meetings on the topic, a persistent gap remains between ambitious commitment and concrete actions.23 One challenge limiting progress is the fragmented and convoluted way by which advocates make the case for it.3 Advocates can reduce such confusion and simplify political arguments by focusing on four core elements for what implementing universal health coverage needs to look like in practice. The range of nuanced issues encompassed by universal health coverage can make its translation into digestible political action difficult.4 In a world of increasing demand, limited budgets, and short term political attention cycles, …