Health is a Human Right
We must create a world where every person – everywhere – has a fair and just opportunity to live their healthiest life.
It is in enshrined in the W.H.O. constitution of 1948, “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being…”
It is defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the founding of the United Nations in Article 25, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care…”
No person should go without access to quality, affordable health care.
Everyone benefits when we all have access to the quality care we need to reach our full potential. But too often – and for too many – this is out of reach.
The determinants of a person’s health often stem from issues beyond any one person’s control. Disparities in quality of care and/or health outcomes are unacceptable – especially when these gaps result from inequities in our health system and the conditions in which people are born, live, work and age.
Where a person lives should not dictate the possibility of good health.
Health is essential.
With good health, people can attend school, be productive at work, care for their families and contribute to strong communities. Poor health puts all of that at risk. Health is fundamental to all aspects of development.
We know access to consistent preventive care can reduce disability, debilitating medical conditions, the need for long-term care and health care costs. At the same time, universal access to vaccines, treatment and health education can reduce the spread of disease.
A deadly global pandemic has taught us all that the time to reach health equity is now.
