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Overview

Universal health coverage (UHC) 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. It covers the full continuum of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care.

To deliver on this promise, countries need to have strong, efficient and equitable health systems that are rooted in the communities they serve. Primary health care (PHC) is the most effective and cost-efficient way to get there. Every country has a different path to achieving UHC and to decide what to cover based on the needs of their populations and the resources at hand. Investing in PHC ensures that all those needs are identified, prioritized and addressed in an integrated way; that there is a robust and equipped health and care workforce; and that all sectors of society contribute to confronting the environmental and socio-economic factors that affect health and well-being, including preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies.

WHO response

As a foundation for UHC, WHO recommends reorienting health systems using a primary health care (PHC) approach. Achieving UHC is a WHO strategic priority, with the goal of 1 billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage by 2025.

In countries with fragile health systems, we focus on technical assistance to build national institutions and service delivery to fill critical gaps in emergencies. In more robust health system settings, we drive public health impact towards health coverage for all through policy dialogue for the systems of the future and strategic support to improve performance.

This work is supported by normative guidance and agreements; data, research and innovation; and leadership in the realms of diplomacy, advocacy, gender equality, health equity and human rights, multisectoral action, and finance.

2030 Agenda for SDGs

WHO’s work is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target 3.8, which focuses on achieving 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.

Globally, progress towards universal health coverage is a challenge. Progress in service coverage has stalled while the proportion of the population facing catastrophic out-of-pocket health spending increases continuously.

WHO monitors progress and publishes global reports to reveal the latest evidence every two years. See the reports here and visit the UHC fact sheet for more information.

Fact sheets

• Primary health care
• Universal health coverage (UHC)

Databases and tools

• Triple Billion Dashboard
• UHC data platform

Resolutions and decisions

• Primary health care
• Community health workers delivering primary health care: opportunities and challenges
• UNGA 74/2 Political declaration of the high-level meeting on universal health coverage, 2019
• UNGA 78/4 Political declaration of the high-level meeting on universal health coverage, 2023
• Global action on patient safety
• 2020: International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife

Technical work

• Access to Medicines and Health Products
• Health Systems Governance and Financing
• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research including the UN cosponsored Special Research Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP)

News

All → 6 December 2025 News release

Most countries make progress towards universal health coverage, but major challenges remain, WHO–World Bank report finds

5 November 2025 Departmental update

WHO at the 151st IPU Assembly: advancing health, rights and resilience through parliamentary action

23 September 2025 News release

Uncontrolled high blood pressure puts over a billion people at risk

22 September 2025 Joint News Release

EU renews support for WHO’s Universal Health Coverage Partnership

Our work

UN High-level Meetings on Universal Health Coverage

Enabling diverse voices and meaningful engagement of older people

Transforming health and social services towards a more person-centred and integrated care

Accessing essential health services in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings

Assessing country progress in health financing for UHC

Improving service access and quality

Addressing the political economy of health financing reform

Working with parliamentarians to achieve UHC

Strengthening legal frameworks for UHC

Universal Health Coverage Day campaign

12 December

Universal Health Coverage Partnership

Bringing WHO’s technical expertise to over 125 countries to foster policy dialogue for UHC, support national health planning and strengthen health systems.

UHC2030

UHC2030 provides a global platform for multiple stakeholders to mobilize political commitment and collective action for UHC.

Feature stories

All → 18 December 2025

Health for all without borders: enhancing access and affordability in Rajasthan, India

17 December 2025

India strengthens blood safety for universal access and quality-assured blood services

17 December 2025

From illness to wellness: the inspiring journey to deliver comprehensive primary health care in Assam, India

10 December 2025

Community mental health services transform patients’ access to care in Barbados

Events

All →

A virtual convening to mark the UHC day

12 December 2025 14:00 – 15:00 IST 2025

Universal Health Coverage Day 2025

12 December 2025

Tracking Universal Health Coverage: 2025 Global Monitoring Report

8 December 2025 08:00 – 09:30 CT

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) High-level Forum

6 December 2025

Publications

All →

15 December 2025

Advancing universal health coverage and health security through private health sector...

WHO colleagues from the Eastern Mediterranean Region and Headquarters organized a three-day inter-regional meeting on advancing universal health coverage... Download Read More

12 December 2025

Lessons from case studies of social participation and its role in the pandemic response in the WHO South-East...

Meaningful engagement of populations in health policy is becoming more important, as reflected in the global commitment to meaningful participation in...

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5 December 2025

Tracking universal health coverage: 2025 global monitoring report

The window to 2030, the SDG target year, is closing. Without accelerated and sustained progress, hard-won UHC gains risk being lost. Using revised and...

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Multimedias

All →

8 December 2025

Universal Health Coverage: a promise we must deliver!

7 March 2025

Ensuring kangaroo mother care for every small or preterm baby

12 December 2024

Universal Health Coverage Day: WHO Director-General’s message

6 December 2024

Primary Health Care: The WHO PHC Country Case Study Compendium

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