Happy Universal Health Coverage Day 2025!
Universal Health Coverage Day, celebrated on 12 December, is the annual rallying point for the global health movement to amplify the call for accessible and affordable health care for everyone.
"Unaffordable health costs: we're sick of it!"
This year's theme, "Unaffordable health costs? We're sick of it!", draws attention to a stark reality: more than half of the world's population still lacks access to essential health services, and a quarter face financial hardship when paying for health care out of their own pockets, often at the expense of food, education, or housing.
The 2025 campaign puts lived experiences at the centre of these numbers, urging policymakers to recognise that the true cost of unaffordable health care extends far beyond hospital bills. When families are forced to choose between treatment and basic necessities, entire communities suffer and progress on all Sustainable Development Goals is undermined.
How to engage
Use the UHC Day toolkit [http://universalhealthcoverageday.org/toolkit] : [http://universalhealthcoverageday.org/toolkit] use the graphics and messaging to spread awareness about the urgent need for UHC and what countries can do to accelerate progress. [https://universalhealthcoverageday.org/global-campaign/] Tell your story [https://csemonline.net/join-the-healthcostshurt-campaign-share-your-story/] for the #HealthCostsHurt campaign video: share what you’re sick of when it comes to accessing and paying for health services. Your lived experience will help decision-makers better understand and respond to the real challenges in your community. [https://universalhealthcoverageday.org/toolkit/#quote] Don't forget to post your videos on social media with the #HealthCostsHurt.Add your activities to the UHC Day heatmap [https://www.universalhealthcoverageday.org/global-heatmap/]: if you are organising an event, publication, or announcement for UHC Day, make it visible by adding it to the global heatmap. Join the UHC Day campaign [https://www.universalhealthcoverageday.org/]
Join the 2025 UHC Day Town Hall [https://universalhealthcoverageday.org/toolkit/]
We are pleased to invite you to the 2025 UHC Day Town Hall, taking place online today to mark UHC Day 2025. [https://universalhealthcoverageday.org/toolkit/]
�� Today, 12 December 2025 [https://bit.ly/2025uhcdayTownHall]
⏰ 8:00–9:30 am ET / 14:00–15:30 CET / 17:30–19:00 IST [https://bit.ly/2025uhcdayTownHall]
This year’s town hall brings together youth advocates and parliamentarians for an open dialogue on accelerating progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) and strengthening financial protection for all.
The 90-minute session will offer a unique space to reflect on UHC progress, highlight the human impact of health costs, and explore opportunities for meaningful collaboration between young people and decision-makers.
IAPO is proud to be co-hosting the event with UHC2030, CSEM for UHC2030, International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF), International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA), ICN Alliance of Student and Early Career Nurses, WHO Youth Council, [https://universalhealthcoverageday.org/toolkit/]and the UN Major Group for Children and Youth.
Interpretation will be available in English, French, Spanish, and International Sign Language (ISL). [https://universalhealthcoverageday.org/toolkit/]
Together, let's remind world leaders that investing in universal health coverage isn't just good policy — it's a commitment to protecting the right to health for all.
Register now to be part of the movement!
Register NOW [https://bit.ly/2025uhcdayTownHall] [https://www.youtube.com/user/IAPOPatientVoice]
The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations is registered in England and Wales as charity number 1155577 and company limited by guarantee number 08495711.
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