Universal Health Coverage Day 2025 shines a spotflight on the devastating human impact of unaffordable health costs. 

Despite numerous high-level political commitments to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, more than half of the world’s population still lacks access to essential health services. One in four people face financial hardship when paying for health care out of their own pockets-often at the expense of basic needs such as food, education or housing. 

Health for all is a prerequisite for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Healthier populations foster communities that are more resilient, productive, peaceful and prosperous. When people delay or forgo health care due to costs, they risk worsening health outcomes and longer-term health and financial burden. Conversely, when governments prioritize to ensure people have access to affordable health care, they lay the groundwork for sustainable progress across all sectors. 

On UHC Day, WHO calls for urgent action to implement financial protection measures and eliminate out-of-pocket health costs for those most in need--including people with low incomes or chronic conditions.