International Universal Health Coverage Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about International Universal Health Coverage Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. International Universal Health Coverage Day is celebrated on December 12th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of International Universal Health Coverage Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as intriguing facts you should know about International Universal Health Coverage Day.

📅 What day is International Universal Health Coverage Day 2024?

In 2024, International Universal Health Coverage Day is on Tuesday, December 12th. It is the 2nd Tuesday in December; in 2024, it is Thursday. There are until the next observance. You also can see all the exciting details and facts about December 12, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

The United Nations designated December 12 as International Universal Health Coverage Day, aiming to raise awareness and support for affordable and high-quality healthcare worldwide. Ensuring affordable healthcare and medication for everyone is a basic human right that should be universally accessible. Currently, this is not the reality, and the United Nations is actively advocating for a transformation in this regard.

📜 International Universal Health Coverage Day History

This holiday was officially announced in 2017 and is commemorated on December 12 every year. The World Health Organization (WHO), The Rockefeller Foundation, Oxfam, the World Bank Group, and Save the Children are some of the organizations that support this initiative. It is one of the many programs by the United Nations that aim to promote human rights.

In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were introduced, which include the goal of achieving universal healthcare. These goals, also known as the Global Goals, consist of 17 objectives that aim to create a more sustainable future for everyone. They were established in 2015 and are targeted to be accomplished by 2030. Some of these goals include addressing climate change, preserving marine and terrestrial life, promoting education, ensuring gender equality, providing clean water and sanitation, promoting renewable energy, fostering economic growth and decent work, enhancing infrastructure and innovation, reducing inequality, building sustainable cities and communities, promoting responsible consumption and production, striving for peace, justice, and strong institutions, and fostering partnerships for achieving these goals.

✅ International Universal Health Coverage Day Facts

🔖 Many countries are already doing it
Many countries, especially in Europe, offer free or affordable healthcare to their citizens, totaling 43 nations. This fact makes it indisputable that providing accessible healthcare to all is indeed possible.

🔖 The U.S. has higher healthcare taxes
Even though the United States does not have universal healthcare, it imposes the highest healthcare tax and has the highest healthcare expenses globally.

🔖 Brazil doesn’t discriminate
In Brazil, healthcare is available to all individuals, regardless of their ethnicity or nationality, without any delay or cost for any kind of medical treatment.

👍 Why Is International Universal Health Coverage Day Important

Everyone is concerned about universal healthcare. Even if you reside in a country where healthcare is universal, you may be unfortunate when going overseas and find yourself paying exorbitant fees for treatment.

While cost is often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about healthcare, it is not the only barrier for some individuals. Many poor and war-torn nations also struggle to get the basics, such as food, clean water, and immunizations. As a result, many neglected countries continue to suffer from easily treatable diseases.

Promoting this day can help raise public awareness of the issue and encourage people to donate more to help impoverished countries.

🙂 How To Observe International Universal Health Coverage Day

⚡ Stay informed
Stay updated on what’s happening by staying informed and encouraging those around you to do the same. Keep up with global news by reading articles or following UNICEF and the United Nations on social media.

⚡ Raise awareness
Plan and coordinate events in your community and schools to increase knowledge and understanding about this problem. Create informative pamphlets and share global statistics to highlight the gravity of the issue.

⚡ Donate to the cause
You have the option to contribute to different types of organizations. Among the highly regarded ones are Doctors Without Borders and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

📅 When is International Universal Health Coverage Day?

Discover all 🔗 December holidays, including 🔗 Health and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

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