Past Work
Universal Health Coverage
We made global and country-level interventions to support UHC in the broader context of pandemic preparedness and response, and the SDGs.
UHC content
The Issue
Health should not be dependent on wealth.
Universal Health Coverage is achieved when everybody receives the healthcare they need without suffering financial hardship. We believe UHC is the best way to achieve the health Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Achieving UHC will also contribute to achieving the SDGs focused on economic growth, reducing poverty and inequality, and building peace and stability.
Our Approach
Since 2016, we have undertaken UHC-focused country visits to Tanzania, Indonesia, India, Ethiopia and South Africa. We believe our interventions can help political leaders take the bold steps needed to implement pro-poor UHC reforms. We will aim to do this through global and country-level activity to promote the merits of UHC and convince key stakeholders of its fundamental role in national development strategies.
Ibrahim Joesph/The Elders
Photo: UN Women/Fahad Abdullah Kaizer
COVID-19 and UHC
COVID-19 is a universal threat and requires a universal response. This global public health crisis shows that health is a fundamental human right and the foundation of economic prosperity and security. The best strategy for world leaders to tackle the current pandemic and prepare for future ones is to ensure an equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and accelerate progress towards UHC.
UHC: a goal all countries can reach
Watch Jimmy Carter, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Graça Machel, Hina Jilani, Mary Robinson, Ernesto Zedillo and the late Kofi Annan explain why The Elders have launched a campaign for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Issue
Health should not be dependent on wealth.
Universal Health Coverage is achieved when everybody receives the healthcare they need without suffering financial hardship. We believe UHC is the best way to achieve the health Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Achieving UHC will also contribute to achieving the SDGs focused on economic growth, reducing poverty and inequality, and building peace and stability.
Our Approach
Since 2016, we have undertaken UHC-focused country visits to Tanzania, Indonesia, India, Ethiopia and South Africa. We believe our interventions can help political leaders take the bold steps needed to implement pro-poor UHC reforms. We will aim to do this through global and country-level activity to promote the merits of UHC and convince key stakeholders of its fundamental role in national development strategies.
Ibrahim Joesph/The Elders
COVID-19 and UHC
COVID-19 is a universal threat and requires a universal response. This global public health crisis shows that health is a fundamental human right and the foundation of economic prosperity and security. The best strategy for world leaders to tackle the current pandemic and prepare for future ones is to ensure an equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and accelerate progress towards UHC.
Photo: UN Women/Fahad Abdullah Kaizer