About UHC Day
International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) on 12 December aims to mobilize diverse stakeholders to call for stronger, more equitable health systems to achieve universal health coverage, leaving no one behind. It has become the annual rallying point for the growing global movement for Health for All.
Every year on 12.12, we raise our voices to share the stories of the millions of people still waiting for health, call on leaders to make bigger and smarter investments in health and remind the world that #HealthForAll is imperative for the world we want.
12.12.2012
The United Nations unanimously endorses a historic resolution urging all countries to accelerate progress toward UHC as an essential priority for international development.
12.12.2014
The Universal Health Coverage Coalition begins to celebrate 12 December as UHC Day, to commemorate the UN’s landmark decision and hold leaders accountable to their promise of #HealthForAll.
12.12.2017
The United Nations proclaims 12 December as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day), making it an official UN-designated day.
12.12.2018
On UHC Day 2018, a global movement of individuals, organizations and countries will Unite for Universal Health Coverage and drive collective action to build stronger, more equitable health systems that leave no one behind.
UHC Day 2018 is here!
What is Universal Health Coverage?
Universal health coverage (UHC) ensures all people, everywhere, can access the quality health services they need without suffering financial hardship. It is a fundamentally political goal rooted in the human right to health. It is also one of the smartest investments any country can make.
Why Universal Health Coverage?
Health is a human right, not a privilege.
Access to quality health services should never depend on your race, gender, age, ability, wealth or citizenship. Universal health coverage leaves no one behind.
No one should go bankrupt when they get sick.
All people should be able to get the health care they need without being pushed into poverty or giving up other life necessities to pay for it.
Good health transforms societies.
When people are healthy, families, communities and economies can reach their full potential.
UHC is possible.
100+ low- & middle-income countries, home to three-quarters of the world’s population, have taken steps toward universal health coverage.
Health for All is critical to the future we want by 2030.
Achieving UHC will accelerate efforts to end extreme poverty, reduce burdens of infectious and noncommunicable diseases, promote economic growth and job creation, achieve gender equality and realize all of our Sustainable Development Goals.
More resources:
Nina’s Happy Healthy Family Meal:
Nina and her family have all had different health problems, but they are now able to sit and enjoy a happy and healthy meal together. This is not the case for many people around the world, which is why universal health coverage is so important.
About the Partners
UHC Day is powered by UHC2030, a multi-stakeholder partnership driving the global movement to build strong health systems for universal health coverage. UHC2030 promotes collaboration, action and accountability in countries and globally on health systems strengthening (HSS) for UHC.
Since its establishment in 2016, UHC2030 is proud to have supported UHC Coalition partners to organise events each UHC Day. Building on its experience and mandate, UHC2030 is uniquely positioned to coordinate the first UHC Day to be observed by the entire UN system and countries around the world.
Leading transparently and collaboratively, UHC2030 convenes a multi-stakeholder Coordination Group on UHC Day (12.12.CG) that is responsible for developing the identity and campaign materials for UHC Day, building on the existing efforts of the UHC Coalition and other relevant initiatives for UHC movement.
Learn more about UHC2030:
UHC Coalition
The Universal Health Coverage Coalition (UHC Coalition) is a group of more than 1000 organizations in 121 countries advocating for #HealthForAll and strong, equitable health systems that leave no one behind. The UHC Coalition formed to launch the first UHC Day on 12 December 2014, and prior to 2018, led messaging and microgrants for each annual UHC Day campaign.
Now that UHC Day has transitioned to a UN-designed awareness day, the UHC Coalition continues to partner closely with UHC2030, the CSEM and the multistakeholder coordination group to make UHC Day a success.