International Universal Health Coverage Day (12 December): Meaning, History & Why It Matters in 2025

Every year on 12 December, the world observes International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) — a global reminder that quality, affordable healthcare is a right, not a privilege. The day calls on leaders, governments, and communities to work together toward health systems that protect everyone, everywhere.

The theme for UHC Day 2025, “Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!”, highlights the growing burden of high healthcare expenses on families worldwide. This theme brings attention to the human stories behind rising costs and urges governments to invest in stronger, fairer, and more affordable health systems.

History of UHC Day: How It Began

The journey began on 12 December 2012, when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a landmark resolution urging countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC).

Five years later, on 12 December 2017, the UN officially proclaimed the day as International Universal Health Coverage Day through Resolution 72/138. Since then, UHC Day has become a global platform for:

• Raising awareness about health access
• Encouraging political commitments
• Promoting investments in affordable healthcare
• Highlighting stories of people still struggling for basic health services

Why UHC Day Is Important

The day serves as an annual rallying point for advocates of health for all. It emphasizes that millions of people still face major challenges:

• More than half the world’s population lacks essential health services
• One in four people suffer financial hardship when paying for care
• Many must choose between medicine and necessities like food, schooling, or housing

UHC Day pushes global leaders to address these challenges by building strong, resilient, and inclusive health systems.

UHC Day 2025 Theme: “Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!”

The 2025 campaign shines a spotlight on the devastating impact of high healthcare expenses. Rising costs are making communities:

• Poorest, as families borrow or sell assets for treatment
• Sicker, due to delayed care or skipped treatment
• More vulnerable, as financial shocks worsen inequality

The theme encourages decision-makers to prioritize universal health coverage and strengthen financial protection for all.

The global campaign began in early October 2024 and will culminate on 12 December 2025, urging citizens, policymakers, and health advocates to take action.

The COVID-19 Lesson: Health Systems Must Work for Everyone

The COVID-19 pandemic clearly showed that health security and UHC go hand in hand. Strong health systems:

• Detect and respond to crises
• Provide essential services even during emergencies
• Protect vulnerable groups from severe consequences

A health system is only truly effective when no one is left behind, regardless of income, gender, age, or location.

UHC puts women, children, adolescents, and marginalized communities at the center, recognizing that they face the biggest barriers to care.

Key Dimensions of Universal Health Coverage

UHC is part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG target 3.8) and includes three essential dimensions:

1. Population Coverage

Who receives services? This focuses on equity, ensuring everyone — especially the most vulnerable — can access care.

2. Service Coverage

What health services are available? UHC includes promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

3. Financial Protection

Are people protected from financial hardship? Health services should not force families into poverty or debt.

UHC is grounded in the principles of equity, non-discrimination, and the right to health, ensuring truly inclusive healthcare systems.

How People and Governments Can Support UHC

• Prioritize health in national budgets
• Invest in primary healthcare and community health workers
• Reduce out-of-pocket expenses
• Expand insurance coverage and social protection
• Strengthen emergency preparedness
• Support awareness campaigns and community action

These efforts bring the world closer to achieving UHC by 2030.