Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Teri Reynolds, Thomas Wilkinson, Melanie Y. Bertram, Matthew Jowett, Rob Baltussen, Awad Mataria, Ferozuddin Feroz, Mohamed Jama
Summary: As no country or health system can provide all possible health services, prioritizing a subset of services for universal availability is integral to universal health coverage. However, creating a package of priority services alone is not enough; implementation is crucial for their impact. There are tensions between criteria-driven prioritization and implementation-oriented formulations, and service delivery considerations are often overlooked. Bridging the gap from a package of services to actual delivery presents challenges for countries. Failure to incorporate delivery considerations during prioritization and design stages can undermine the goals of service delivery. Drawing from country experiences, we discuss choices in package structure and content, and propose ideas to build more implementable service packages to effectively bridge the gap between intent and implementation.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lindi Van Niekerk, Martha Milena Bautista-Gomez, Barwani Khaura Msiska, Jana Deborah B. Mier-Alpano, Arturo M. Ongkeko, Lenore Manderson
Summary: This study adopts a cross-country case study methodology to analyze three social innovations in health in the low-and middle-income countries of the Philippines, Malawi, and Colombia. The study found that these social innovations improved access and quality of health services for vulnerable rural populations through developing community capacities, leadership, and accountability. These innovations empowered communities to actively participate in conceptualizing, implementing, monitoring, and sustaining the health programs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephane Verguet, Alemayehu Hailu, Getachew Teshome Eregata, Solomon Tessema Memirie, Kjell Arne Johansson, Ole Frithjof Norheim
Summary: All countries worldwide have signed up to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and committed to the objective of achieving universal health coverage. Getting there will require understanding how packages of essential health services can be developed in resource-constrained settings and how experts and the public can make decisions about which health services should be provided free of charge.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sandhya Venkateswaran, Shruti Slaria, Sampriti Mukherjee
Summary: There is vast variation in public investments, health outcomes, and progress toward universal health coverage across countries. Economic status and knowledge on solutions do not determine health improvements. The extent of political prioritization of healthcare plays a crucial role in achieving universal health coverage. Political motivation is driven by a regime's need for legitimacy, political ideology, or external factors. Greater citizen participation can shift the source of legitimacy for leaders.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andres Lopez Cabello
Summary: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a hegemonic concept in international health system reforms, aimed to provide health goods and services for the poor but may also contribute to health system fragmentation. It may be comprehended as a new facet of neoliberalism, with states mainly playing a role of public funds administrators.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
David Wilson, Aziz Sheikh, Marelize Gorgens, Katherine Ward
Summary: Utilizing technology for Universal Health Coverage requires smart, flexible policies and programs, with a focus on protecting privacy, data security, and equity. Digital health is a means to an end, with evolving interventions that need a clear vision for strategic and judicious use.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yaoguang Zhang, Di Dong, Ling Xu, Zhiwen Miao, Wenhui Mao, Frank Sloan, Shenglan Tang
Summary: China has achieved significant progress in advancing universal health coverage through the introduction of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) in 2003. The study assessed the impact of changing NCMS policies on service utilization, financial burden, and equity for NCMS enrollees between 2003 and 2013. The findings showed increased service utilization, reduced financial risk, and identified priority targets for future reforms to improve equity and financial protection for the rural population.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chris Atim, Indu Bhushan, Mark Blecher, Ramana Gandham, Vikram Rajan, Jonatan Daven, Olusoji Adeyi
Summary: This paper summarizes health financing themes from five middle-income countries with incomplete progress towards Universal Health Coverage, highlighting challenges such as inadequate financing, sub-optimal pooling, and unmet expectations in strategic purchasing. Despite variations, evidence of strong political commitment in some countries bodes well for further progress.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kumpol Saengtabtim, Jing Tang, Natt Leelawat, Shinichi Egawa, Anawat Suppasri, Fumihiko Imamura
Summary: This study found that countries in the Southeast Asian and Western Pacific regions with universal health coverage (UHC) had better outcomes in combating COVID-19, as measured by the State Party Self-Assessment Annual Reporting (SPAR) index under the international health regulations (IHR). Countries with UHC scores of 63 or higher had lower numbers of infections and deaths. The study also identified several interconnected SPAR capacities, such as food safety, laboratory, and human resources, which were correlated with UHC and played a role in managing the pandemic.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Irene Agyepong, Neil Spicer, Gorik Ooms, Albrecht Jahn, Till Baernighausen, Claudia Beiersmann, Hannah Brown Amoakoh, Guenter Fink, Yan Guo, Lisa Hennig, Mahlet Kifle Habtemariam, Bocar A. Kouyate, Rene Loewenson, Angela Micah, Suerie Moon, Mosa Moshabela, Sonja Lynn Myhre, Trygve Ottersen, Walaiporn Patcharanarumol, Malabika Sarker, Gita Sen, Yasuhisa Shiozaki, Francisco Songane, Devi Sridhar, Freddie Ssengooba, Jeanette Vega, Deisy Ventura, Maike Voss, David Heymann
Summary: Since 2018, the Lancet Commission has been examining how to maximize the synergies between universal health coverage, health security, and health promotion. The Commission has conducted desk reviews, case studies, consultations, and meetings with Commissioners to gather and analyze data. The analysis and gathered data have revealed key findings and implications for action, particularly through in-depth country case studies.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Agnes Bhakti Pratiwi, Hermawati Setiyaningsih, Maarten Olivier Kok, Trynke Hoekstra, Ali Ghufron Mukti, Elizabeth Pisani
Summary: The study analyzed the relationship between health need, insurance coverage, health service availability, service use, insurance claims, and out-of-pocket spending across Indonesia. Results showed a discrepancy between self-reported national health insurance registration and insurer's report, with higher insurance coverage in poorer areas where service provision is lower, impacting service use and health spending.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Agnes Soucat, Ajay Tandon, Eduardo Gonzales Pier
Summary: Essential packages of health services (EPHS) have the potential to contribute to universal health coverage (UHC) financing through various pathways. However, the mechanisms to achieve desired outcomes are often unclear. Although using EPHS to directly leverage funds for health has had limited success, EPHS can indirectly increase revenue through fiscal measures. Improved dialogue between health policy-makers and public finance authorities can help communicate the value of additional public spending connected to UHC indicators. EPHS development exercises have been more successful in advancing resource pooling across different schemes and improving strategic purchasing activities.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rafael da Silva Barbosa, Eduardo Fagnani
Summary: This article analyzes the development of public and private provision of healthcare services in Brazil with a focus on the public network. The period from 2008 to 2015 saw positive changes in public investment and human resources, with significant increases in primary healthcare services provided by the public system. However, there was a notable decrease in the number of private establishments, indicating areas for improvement.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anuska Kalita, Bijetri Bose, Liana Woskie, Annie Haakenstad, Jan E. Cooper, Winnie Yip
Summary: This study is the first large-scale research on private pharmacies in India and compares them with other healthcare providers. The study also explores the reasons why patients choose private pharmacies and evaluates the quality and cost of care provided by these pharmacies. The findings suggest that incorporating private pharmacies into a comprehensive health systems approach is important for achieving universal health coverage in India.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mahboubeh Khaton Ghanbari, Masoud Behzadifar, Leila Doshmangir, Mariano Martini, Ahad Bakhtiari, Mahtab Alikhani, Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of UHC-related scientific literature from 1990 to 2019, revealing an increasing scholarly interest in UHC and related issues. However, the majority of research was concentrated in middle- and high-income regions and countries, emphasizing the need to promote and support research in low-income countries to improve global health outcomes.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Por Ir, Catherine Korachais, Kannarath Chheng, Dirk Horemans, Wim Van Damme, Bruno Meessen
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2015)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Raffaella Ravinetto, Anja De Weggheleire, Thomas P. C. Dorlo, Sven Francque, An Sokkab, Corinne Pouget, Bruno Meessen, Patricia Tabernero, Paul N. Newton, Lut Lynen
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2016)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Dimitri Renmans, Nathalie Holvoet, Bart Criel, Bruno Meessen
HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING
(2017)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Benedetta Schiavetti, Evelien Wynendaele, Bart De Spiegeleer, Geremie J. Mbinze, Nicodeme Kalenda, Roland Marini, Vera Melotte, Epco Hasker, Bruno Meessen, Raffaella Ravinetto, Josiane Van der Elst, Daniel Mutolo Ngeleka
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2018)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Maria Paola Bertone, Bruno Meessen
HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING
(2013)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Bruno Meessen
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2014)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Bruno Meessen
GLOBAL HEALTH-SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2018)
Article
Health Policy & Services
E. Akhnif, J. A. Kiendrebeogo, A. Idrissi Azouzzi, Z. Adam, C. P. Makoutode, S. Mayaka Manitu, Z. Njoumemi, A. Gamble Kelley, B. Meessen
HEALTH RESEARCH POLICY AND SYSTEMS
(2018)
Article
Pediatrics
Sandra Nkurunziza, Bruno Meessen, Jean-Pierre Van Geertruyden, Catherine Korachais
Review
Health Policy & Services
E. Akhnif, J. Macq, M. O. Idrissi Fakhreddine, B. Meessen
HEALTH RESEARCH POLICY AND SYSTEMS
(2017)
Review
Demography
Catherine Korachais, Elodie Macouillard, Bruno Meessen
STUDIES IN FAMILY PLANNING
(2016)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Laurence Lannes, Bruno Meessen, Agnes Soucat, Paulin Basinga
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2016)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Manasse Nimpagaritse, Catherine Korachais, Dominique Roberfroid, Patrick Kolsteren, Moulay Driss Zine Eddine El Idrissi, Bruno Meessen
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH
(2016)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Maria Paola Bertone, Bruno Meessen, Guy Clarysse, David Hercot, Allison Kelley, Yamba Kafando, Isabelle Lange, Jerome Pfaffmann, Valery Ridde, Isidore Sieleunou, Sophie Witter
HEALTH RESEARCH POLICY AND SYSTEMS
(2013)
