Open AccessAn Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure—Universal Health Coverage to Strengthen Health Security
Author(s) -
Clark Geoff,
O'Dwyer Michael,
Chapman Ysanne,
Rolfe Benjamin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
asia and the pacific policy studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.529
H-Index - 14
ISSN - 2050-2680
DOI - 10.1002/app5.204
Subject(s) - fluid ounce (us) , health security , health care , business , pound (networking) , economic growth , economics , political science , medicine , public health , computer science , nursing , law , world wide web
The Sustainable Development Goal 3 targets aim to ensure that individuals achieve universal health coverage and that the capacity of countries, to identify early warnings, implement risk reduction plans and to respond and manage national and global health risks including emerging infectious diseases outbreaks is strengthened. Funding for the achievement of these outcomes can be erratic and weak healthcare systems do not cope well with the vagaries of fluctuating economies. Universal health coverage is achievable with formulated social health insurance programs that ensure consistent and predictable financial flows. This article deliberates the situation in the Asia Pacific region considering how funding the elimination of infectious diseases (specifically malaria) can facilitate a strengthening of weak health systems, which in turn will build economic potency and health security in the region.