Universal Health Care Coverage for Aging Population
Authors:   Independent Researcher (Scholar), Retired from Population Education Resource Centre, Department of Lifelong Learning & Extension, SNDT Women’s University, Maharashtra, India, Kumar Mishra Santosh 
Published: November 2024

The term Universal Health Coverage (UHC) refers to a situation where “all people (both males and females, boys and girls) have access, without financial
hardship, to the full range of type of quality health services when and where they need them, now and at times”. The UHC envisages coverage of the full
range of essential health care services: from health promotion to (1) ‘Prevention’, (2) ‘Treatment’, (3) ‘Rehabilitation’, and (4) ‘Palliative care’ [aimed at
improving quality of life of people (adults and children) and their families confronted with life-threatening illness]. It is pertinent to note that the UHC
aligns with the SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) Target 3.8: achieve universal health coverage. The UHC is, thus, global commitment. However, in
to deliver this promise, national governments need and inter-governmental organizations need to have health systems that are rooted in the locations
communities they serve. Also, such health systems need to be
• Need-based,
• Efficient, and
• Equitable.
The author of this review paper argues that Primary Health Care (PHC) is the most effective and cost-efficient way to reach out to people with the UHC,
with consideration of “need-based approach”. Further, it is due to this consideration of need-based theory that every country, with its own socio-economic
and demographic profile, adopts a different strategy for the purpose of achieving the UHC. Furthermore, national governments decide what to cover,
depending on the needs of their populations, including availability of health infrastructure (resources). Investment in the scientifically designed UHC
programs has the potential to ensures that health needs of people are (a) ‘Identified’, (b) ‘Prioritized’, and (c) ‘Addressed’.
The conceptual framework of the UHC is of increased relevance for aging population (individuals above the age of 65). The author of this work is of the
considered research view that objective of achieving the SDG-3.8 target cannot be fully and adequately realized without transforming health care system
that has significant impact on functional ability in older age people (or aging population). Objective of this evidence-based review paper is to investigate
into significance and implications of the UHC for aging population. Also, it briefly outlines renewed strategies needed for the UHC for aging population.
Secondary data (largely ‘qualitative’ in nature) have been used. The method of data analysis is ‘descriptive’, involving non-statistical (mathematical)
techniques. The paper briefly concludes that scientifically-designed mechanism for offering the UHC for older people, without financial burden, is crucial.
It is important that health financing systems of the national governments are designed to cater to health needs of older people, while protecting them from
to access services when they are needed, but also to protect them from financial catastrophe (by abolishing “out of pocket spending”).