Universal Health Coverage in Japan: Leveraging Technologies to Ensure Equitable, Affordable, and Quality Health Care for All

2020 ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
Satoshi Ezoe
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Quality Health Care ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
Universal Health

Universal Health Coverage

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joia S. Mukherjee
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Quality Health Care ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
The Right ◽  
Universal Health

This chapter explores the seminal topic of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), an objective within the Sustainable Development goals. It reviews the theory and definitions that shape the current conversation on UHC. The movement from selective primary health care to UHC demonstrates a global commitment to the progressive realization of the right to health. However, access to UHC is limited by barriers to care, inadequate provision of care, and poor-quality services. To deliver UHC, it is critical to align inputs in the health system with the burden of disease. Quality of care must also be improved. Steady, sufficient financing is needed to achieve the laudable goal of UHC.This chapter highlights some important steps taken by countries to expand access to quality health care. Finally, the chapter investigates the theory and practice behind a morbidity-based approach to strengthening health systems and achieving UHC.

Universal Health Coverage

2021 ◽  
pp. 134-153
Author(s):  
Joia S. Mukherjee
Keyword(s):  
Health Systems ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Universal Coverage ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Quality Health Care ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
The Right ◽  
Universal Health

As part of the Sustainable Development Goals the right to health is captured under the rubric of universal health coverage (UHC). That is that all people should have access to the high quality care they need without suffering financial hardship. This chapter explores this seminal topic reviewing the theory of universal coverage and definitions that shape the current conversation about UHC. This chapter also highlights some important steps taken by countries to expand access to quality health care but challenges the rhetoric that financing care through insurance schemes, a common approach to UHC) is sufficient when the inputs into the health systems do not match the disease burden. Finally, the chapter investigates the theory and practice behind a morbidity-based approach to strengthening health systems and achieving UHC.

scholarly journals 20.F. Workshop: Dental care – coverage and access across countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
North America ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Financial Protection ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Universal Health

Abstract Oral health is a central element of general health with significant impact in terms of pain, suffering, impairment of function and reduced quality of life. Although most oral disease can be prevented by health promotion strategies and routine access to primary oral health care, the GBD study 2017 estimated that oral diseases affect over 3.5 billion people worldwide (Watt et al, 2019). Given the importance of oral health and its potential contribution to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), it has received increased attention in public health debates in recent years. However, little is known about the large variations across countries in terms of service delivery, coverage and financing of oral health. There is a lack of international comparison and understanding of who delivers oral health services, how much is devoted to oral health care and who funds the costs for which type of treatment (Eaton et al., 2019). Yet, these aspects are central for understanding the scope for improvement regarding financial protection against costs of dental care and equal access to services in each country. This workshop aims to present the comparative research on dental care coverage in Europe, North America and Australia led by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Three presentations will look at dental care coverage using different methods and approaches. They will compare how well the population is covered for dental care especially within Europe and North America considering the health systems design and expenditure level on dental care, using the WHO coverage cube as analytical framework. The first presentation shows results of a cross-country Health Systems in Transition (HiT) review on dental care. It provides a comparative review and analysis of financing, coverage and access in 31 European countries, describing the main trends also in the provision of dental care. The second presentation compares dental care coverage in eight jurisdictions (Australia (New South Wales), Canada (Alberta), England, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the United States) with a particular focus on older adults. The third presentation uses a vignette approach to map the extent of coverage of dental services offered by statutory systems (social insurance, compulsory insurance, NHS) in selected countries in Europe and North America. This workshop provides the opportunity of a focussed discussion on coverage of dental care, which is often neglected in the discussion on access to health services and universal health coverage. The objectives of the workshop are to discuss the oral health systems in an international comparative setting and to draw lessons on best practices and coverage design. The World Conference on Public Health is hence a good opportunity for this workshop that contributes to frame the discussion on oral health systems in a global perspective. Key messages There is large degree of variation in the extent to which the costs of dental care are covered by the statutory systems worldwide with implications for oral health outcomes and financial protection. There is a need for a more systematic collection of oral health indicators to make analysis of reliable and comparable oral health data possible.

scholarly journals State led innovations for achieving universal health coverage in a low resource setting Odisha, India: opportunities and challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 2338
Author(s):  
Sarit K. Rout ◽  
Upasona Ghosh ◽  
Amrita Parhi ◽  
Sudhashree Chandrashekhar ◽  
Shridhar M. Kadam
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
State Government ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Health Care Utilisation ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Resource Setting ◽  
Free Health Care ◽  
Universal Health

Background: Odisha, a developing state of India, has introduced an innovative scheme known as Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), which aims at providing free health care to all the people. This paper examines the scope, key features, challenges and potentiality of BSKY to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) in Odisha.Methods: We reviewed policy documents and conducted qualitative interviews with key state government officials and other stakeholders to understand implement processes and constraints.Results: The scheme intends to provide free health care to all people in public health care institutions and additionally, 71 lakh poor households can avail health care services from the empanelled private hospitals with financial coverage up to 5 lakhs per family and women members up to 10 lakhs annually. This is implemented in assurance mode by merging state-run schemes- Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana (BKKY) and Odisha State treatment fund (OSTF). The implementing agency is introducing several measures to control unnecessary health care utilisation and cost. Gate keeping mechanism and reserved packages by public hospital are major initiatives in this direction. Further, efforts to settle claims on time and IT related challenges are teething problems of the scheme. The findings further suggest that public expenditure on health stands at 1.3% of GSDP and inadequate human resources and health infrastructure are affecting service delivery.Conclusions: Achieving UHC with such a low public spending on health and different service delivery constraints looks ambitious. Odisha may learn from other countries to implement UHC phase wise.

scholarly journals Ghana’s Journey towards Universal Health Coverage: The Role of the National Health Insurance Scheme

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kipo-Sunyehzi ◽  
Amogre Ayanore ◽  
Dzidzonu ◽  
Ayalsuma Yakubu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
National Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Universal Health

: Background: the main aim of the study is to find if the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana is achieving universal health coverage (UHC) or not. The study gives the trajectories of health policies in Ghana and their implications on long term health financing. NHIS in Ghana was implemented in 2004, with the aim of increasing subscribers’ access to health care services and reduce financial barriers to health care. On equity access to healthcare, it addresses two core concerns: (1) enrolling particular groups (persons exempted from annual premium payments) and (2) achieving UHC for all citizens and persons with legal residence. It utilizes a multifactor approach to the conceptualization of UHC. The research question: is Ghana’s NHIS on course to deliver or achieve universal health coverage? Methods: we used qualitative methods. In doing so, the study engaged participants in in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and direct observations of participants in their natural settings, like hospitals, clinics, offices and homes, with purposive and snowball techniques. This data triangulation approach aims to increase the reliability and validity of findings. Results: the empirical evidence shows NHIS performed relatively well in enrolling more exempt groups (particular groups) than enrolling all persons in Ghana (UHC). The biggest challenge for the implementation of NHIS from the perspectives of health insurance officials is inadequate funding. The health insurance beneficiaries complained of delays during registrations and renewals. They also complained of poor attitude of some health insurance officials and health workers at facilities. Conclusions: both health insurance officials and beneficiaries emphasized the need for increased public education and for implementers to adopt a friendly attitude towards clients. To move towards achieving UHC, there is a need to redesign the policy, to move it from current voluntary contributions, to adopt a broad tax-based approach to cover all citizens and persons with legal residence in Ghana. Also, to adopt a flexible premium payment system (specifically ‘payments by installation’ or ‘part payments’) and widen the scope of exempt groups as a way of enrolling more into the NHIS.

The impact of Universal Health Coverage on health care consumption and risky behaviours: evidence from Thailand

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Ghislandi ◽  
Wanwiphang Manachotphong ◽  
Viviana M.E. Perego
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Health Care Consumption ◽  
Thai Population ◽  
Risky Behaviours ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Universal Health

AbstractThailand is among the first non-OECD countries to have introduced a form of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This policy represents a natural experiment to evaluate the effects of public health insurance on health behaviours. In this paper, we examine the impact of Thailand’s UHC programme on preventive activities, unhealthy or risky behaviours and health care consumption using data from the Thai Health and Welfare Survey. We use doubly robust estimators that combine propensity scores and linear regressions to estimate differences-in-differences (DD) and differences-in-DD models. Our results offer important insights. First, UHC increases individuals’ likelihood of having an annual check-up, especially among women. Regarding health care consumption, we observe that UHC increases hospital admissions by over 2% and increases outpatient visits by 13%. However, there is no evidence that UHC leads to an increase in unhealthy behaviours or a reduction of preventive efforts. In other words, we find no evidence ofex antemoral hazard. Overall, these findings suggest positive health impacts among the Thai population covered by UHC.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document