Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T04:27:08.968Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Making fair choices on the path to universal health coverage: a précis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2015

Alex Voorhoeve ,
Trygve Ottersen  and
Ole F. Norheim
Alex Voorhoeve*
Affiliation:
Philosophy, Logic, and Scientific Method, London School of Economics, UK
Trygve Ottersen
Affiliation:
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
Ole F. Norheim
Affiliation:
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
*
*Correspondence to: Alex Voorhoeve, Philosophy, Logic, and Scientific Method, London School of Economics, UK. Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We outline key conclusions of the World Health Organisation's report 'Making Fair Choices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage (UHC)'. The Report argues that three principles should inform choices on the path to UHC: I. Coverage should be based on need, with extra weight given to the needs of the worse off; II. One aim should be to generate the greatest total improvement in health; III. Contributions should be based on ability to pay and not need. We describe how these principles determine which trade-offs are (un)acceptable. We also discuss which institutions contribute to fair and accountable choices.

Type
Special Section
Information
Health Economics, Policy and Law , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , January 2016 , pp. 71 - 77
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Central Statistical Agency (2012), Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Central Statistical Agency.Google Scholar
Daniels, N. and Sabin, J. E. (2008), Setting Limits Fairly: Learning to Share Resources for Health, 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Kalk, A., Groos, N., Karasi, J. C. and Girrbach, E. (2010), ‘Health systems strengthening through insurance subsidies: the GFATM experience in Rwanda’, Tropical Medicine and International Health, 15(1): 94–97.Google ScholarPubMed
Lagomarsino, G., Garabrant, A., Adyas, A., Muga, R. and Otoo, N. (2012), ‘Moving towards universal health coverage: health insurance reforms in nine developing countries in Africa and Asia’, Lancet, 380(9845): 933–943.Google Scholar
Murray, C. J. L., Ezzati, M., Flaxman, A. D., Lim, S., Lozano, R., Michaud, C., Naghavi, M., Salomon, J. A., Shibuya, K., Vos, T., Wikler, D. and Lopez, A. D. (2012), ‘GBD 2010: design, definitions, and metrics’, Lancet, 380(9859): 2063–2066.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Røttingen, J. A., Otttersen, T., Ablo, A., Arhin-Tenkorang, D., Benn, C., Elovainio, R., Evans, D. B., Fonseca, L. E., Frenk, J., McCoy, D., McIntyre, D., Moon, S., Ooms, G., Palu, T., Rao, S., Sridhar, D., Vega, J., Wibulpolprasert, S., Wright, S. and Yang, B. M. (2014), Shared Responsibilities for Health: A Coherent Global Framework for Health Financing Final Report of the Centre on Global Health Security Working Group on Health Financing London: Chatham House.Google Scholar
Sen, A. (2009), The Idea of Justice, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
Tamire Woldemariam, A. (2015), ‘The administrator’s perspective’, Health Economics, Policy and Law, this issue.Google Scholar
Teerawattananon, Y., Mugford, M. and Tangcharoensathien, V. (2007), ‘Economic evaluation of palliative management versus peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease: evidence for coverage decisions in Thailand’, Value in Health, 10(1): 61–72.Google Scholar
WHO (2010), The World Health Report 2010. Health Systems Financing: The Path to Universal Coverage, Geneva: World Health Organization.Google Scholar
WHO (2013), Universal Health Coverage: Supporting Country Needs, Geneva: World Health Organization.Google Scholar
World Bank (2014), Health equity and financial protection datasheets. http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTHEALTHNUTRITIONANDPOPULATION/EXTPAH/0,,contentMDK:23159049~menuPK:400482~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:400476,00.html[28 April 2014].Google Scholar
WHO (2014a), Cost effectiveness and strategic planning (WHO-CHOICE). http://www.who.int/choice/cost-effectiveness/en/ [28 April 2014].Google Scholar
WHO (2014b), ‘Making Fair Choices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage’, Final Report of the WHO Consultative Group on Equity and Universal Health Coverage, Geneva.Google Scholar