In 1948, the World Health Organization enshrined health as a human right in its Constitution. Yet today, this fundamental right of every human being to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is not being realized by over half the world’s 8.1 billion people. This year’s World Health Day on 7 April focuses on ‘My health, my right’ to champion the rights of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services.
Everyone should have access to the health services they need when and where they need them, without facing financial hardship. This is universal health coverage, a primary focus of the WHO Centre for Health Development in Kobe, Japan.
One of our WHO flagship products is on sustainable health financing in the context of population ageing. This research underscores the importance of moving away from financing health through labour-related contributions and premiums and, as a result, de-linking entitlement to care from the payment of contributions. It emphasizes the importance of policy choices in how services are financed and delivered, especially for low- and middle-income countries.
A further area of the Centre’s rights-based research is on metrics and measurement. Data is key to health equity to leave no one behind. Our research on unmet needs uses population data and diagnostic tools to identify those in need of health services – those who do not have their rights protected or who cannot exercise their right to health. Knowing the health needs of populations will contribute towards action to correct health inequities.
Our research on service delivery models explores how services are organized, delivered and financed to help countries progress in helping more people achieve their right to health through better access and financial protection, particularly for older people. Quality health services must be consistently delivered to everyone, everywhere, at all levels of care.
We encourage all people to know and understand their health rights. These include safe and quality care without discrimination; privacy and confidentiality of personal health information; being informed about treatment and consenting to it; and being able to make decisions about personal health.
We urge governments to pass laws that guarantee non-discriminatory access to quality, timely and appropriate health services and systems, and equal health treatment. Only strong political will and appropriate resource allocation can deliver health equity to those who need long-term care services and people with unmet needs. This is everyone’s right.