Rising Costs and Economic Burdens
A staggering 20% of households in Europe face catastrophic health spending, driven predominantly by out-of-pocket payments for essential medicines, medical products, and dental care. These costs significantly impede families from affording other basic needs like food, housing, and heating. Alarmingly, this financial hardship extends even to Europe’s wealthiest nations, with the poorest households bearing the burden.
Insights from UHC Watch
To address this critical issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched UHC Watch, a digital platform tracking progress on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in 45 countries across Europe and Central Asia. Developed by WHO/Europe’s Barcelona Office for Health Systems Financing, the platform provides policymakers with actionable insights and data to strengthen health systems and reduce financial hardship.
Key findings reveal:
Increasing Financial Strain: In 28 out of 40 countries surveyed, catastrophic health spending has grown over time, with an average rise of 1.7 percentage points.
Barriers to Access: Heavy reliance on out-of-pocket payments creates significant obstacles to accessing healthcare, leaving many needs unmet.
Worsening Inequalities: Financial hardship disproportionately affects the poorest populations, driving many into poverty.
Empowering Policymakers
UHC Watch is designed to serve as a comprehensive resource for policymakers, analysts, academics, and advocacy groups. Its features include:
Customizable Data Access: Dynamic tools to explore 40 key indicators, compare countries, and download customized reports.
Policy Analysis: Country-specific recommendations and insights into financial protection strategies.
Extensive Repository: Over 150 resources, including health financing reports and multimedia content in multiple languages.
This platform aligns with the European Programme of Work and Sustainable Development Goals by providing data sensitive to equity and essential for informed decision-making.
Strategic Significance
“Health systems should protect people, not impoverish them,” said Dr. Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, WHO/Europe’s Director of Country Health Policies and Systems. By equipping countries with timely evidence and clear policy guidance, UHC Watch enables governments to tackle financial barriers to care and accelerate progress toward UHC.
The initiative has gained robust support, including funding from the European Union’s EU4Health programme. Additionally, it is backed by the European Financial Protection Network, comprising over 60 senior researchers focused on systematically assessing financial protection across the region.
A Call to Action
With the launch of UHC Watch, WHO renews its call for governments to prioritise universal health coverage. By leveraging this innovative platform, countries can build resilient health systems that protect citizens from financial distress while ensuring equitable and affordable care for all.
Source: World Health Organization
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