The promise of universal health coverage (UHC) is as inspirational as it is aspirational: according to the WHO, it means that “all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship”. In other words, “leave no one behind”. The global community has set out to achieve this promise by 2030, and nearly all countries have signed on to fulfill it. But according to latest estimates, 30% of the world still cannot access essential health services, meaning more than two billion people are currently being left behind.
Among those left behind are hundreds of millions of sexually active girls and women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) who are seeking to avoid pregnancy but lack access to modern contraception. Despite being considered a key element of primary healthcare and linked to a range of positive health outcomes – from lower maternal and child mortality to improved nutrition and longer life expectancy – family planning remains out of reach for too many people in too many places, stifling the promise of UHC and jeopardizing healthy futures for countless families and communities.
Adapted from the soon to be published article “How Enhanced Engagement with The Private Sector Can Expand Access to Family Planning and Bring the World Closer to Universal Health Coverage” developed by Adam Lewis and FP2030.
