12 December 2016: The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a data portal that provides information on access to health coverage around the world, in support of countries’ efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. WHO estimates that 150 million people every year suffer “financial catastrophe” from out-of-pocket health care costs, and that on average, around 32% of each country’s health expenditure comes from out-of-pocket payments.

Under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on good health and well-being, UN Member States agreed to achieve universal health coverage, the purpose of which is to ensure that all people have the means to secure their right to health without financial hardship, by 2030. SDG target 3.8 aims to “achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.”

Launching the data portal, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said the data presented on the portal shows where governments need to act to strengthen their health systems and protect people from the impacts of health care costs. A WHO press release noted that, while African countries experience 25% of global diseases, they have only 3% of the world’s health workers. WHO highlighted that meeting target 3.8 will require more than 18 million additional health workers to join the workforce by 2030, especially in developing countries.

According to WHO, meeting SDG target 3.8 will require more than 18 million additional health workers to join the workforce by 2030, especially in developing countries.

Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO, stressed that, while additional spending will be required to meet the target, even countries at low spending levels can make progress towards universal health coverage. WHO notes that universal health coverage will contribute to other SDGs, including those on eradicating poverty (SDG 1), and on decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).

The data portal on universal health coverage provides information by country on financial protection and equitable access to health services. Information on access to essential health services is presented in categories including: reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health; infectious diseases; non-communicable diseases (NCDs); and service capacity and access. [WHO Press Release] [UN Press Release] [Universal Health Coverage Data Portal]