the aid library

The Health SDGs and Universal Health Coverage Re-Igniting Political Will for Action

S. Swaminathan WHO (World Health Organization) (2018) C_WHO

2018 Controlling the HIV Epidemic Summit Geneva, 3-4 May 2018 3 May 2018

Building Resilient Health Systems to Advance toward Universal Health in the Americas: Lessons from COVID-19

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) (2023) C_WHO

This brochure presents a summary of the situation of health systems and services in the Americas as they progress toward the achievement of universal access to ... more

The Road to UHC: Why Integration of Circulatory Health Interventions in Primary Care is Essential

World Heart Federation (2024) CC

The incidence of circulatory disorders is increasing worldwide, affecting both low- and middle-income countries and some high-income countries. There is evidence of rising incidence and prevalence rates, even among younger individuals, along with an increasing prevalence of risk factors such as high ... more

WHO Zika App for Android
recommended

Universal Projects and Tools S.L. World Health Organization (2016) C_WHO

The World Health Organization has created a Zika app. The app gathers all of WHO's guidance for agencies and individuals involved in the response to Zika Virus Disease and its suspected complications such as microcephaly, and for ... more

WHO Zika App for iOS

Universal Projects and Tools S.L. World Health Organization (2016) C_WHO

Declaration of Astana
recommended

World Health Organization WHO (2018) C_WHO

Global Conference on Primary Health Care From Alma-Ata towards universal health coverage and the ... more

WHO guideline on balanced national controlled medicines policies to ensure medical access and safety

World Health Organization WHO (2025) C_WHO

Access to medicines is essential for attainment of universal health coverage, which is central to achievement of the health-related Sustainable Dev ... more

Screening for cardiovascular disease risk and subsequent management in low and middle income countries: challenges and opportunities

Bovet, P.; Chiolero, A.; Paccaud, F. et al. Public Health Reviews (2015) CC

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), mainly heart attack and stroke, is the leading cause of premature mortality in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Identifying and managing individuals at high risk of CVD is an important strategy to prevent and control CVD, in addition to multisector ... al population-based interventions to reduce CVD risk factors in the entire population. Methods: We describe key public health considerations in identifying and managing individuals at high risk of CVD in LMICs. Results: A main objective of any strategy to identify individuals at high CVD risk is to maximize the number of CVD events averted while minimizing the numbers of individuals needing treatment. Scores estimating the total risk of CVD (e.g. ten-year risk of fatal and non-fatal CVD) are available for LMICs, and are based on the main CVD risk factors (history of CVD, age, sex, tobacco use, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and diabetes status). Opportunistic screening of CVD risk factors enables identification of persons with high CVD risk, but this strategy can be widely applied in low resource settings only if cost effective interventions are used (e.g. the WHO Package of Essential NCD interventions for primary health care in low resource settings package) and if treatment (generally for years) can be sustained, including continued availability ofaffordable medications and funding mechanisms that allow people to purchase medications without impoverishing them (e.g. universal access to health care). Thisalso emphasises the need to re-orient health systems in LMICs towards chronic diseases management. Conclusion: The large burden of CVD in LMICs and the fact that persons with high CVD can be identified and managed along cost-effective interventions mean that health systems need to be structured in a way that encourages patient registration, opportunistic screening of CVD risk factors, efficient procedures for the management of chronic conditions (e.g. task sharing) and provision of affordable treatment for those with high CVD risk. The focus needs to be in primary care because that is where most of the population can access health care and because CVD programmes can be run effectively at this level. more

How can financial risk protection be expanded in Myanmar?

Phone Myint; Than Tun Sein; Cassels, Andrew World Health Organization (WHO) (2015) C_WHO

Policy Note #4: Myanmar Health Systems in Transition Policy Notes Series
Protecting people from financial hardship when they fall ill is one of the two key elements of universal ... more

Access to controlled medicines for pain management in the WHO South-East Asia Region

World Health Organisation (WHO) (2023) C_WHO

The availability of controlled medicines is crucial for patients requiring palliative care, pain relief and symptom management. Many individuals worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries, continue to experience limited access to thes ... more

Lao People’s Democratic Republic-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2024–2028

World Health Organization WHO (2023) C_WHO

This country cooperation strategy (CCS) outlines how the World Health Organization (WHO) will work with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic over the next five years (2024–2028), supporting the implementation of the five-year ... health sector development plans and the Health Sector Reform Strategy 2021–2030 to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic experienced substantial economic growth in the 30 years prior to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, contributing to reduced poverty and significant progress toward the SDGs. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought this development to a halt. It was anticipated that the COVID-19 recovery and the tremendous population growth in recent years would provide opportunities for a shift toward more sustainable and inclusive development in the years ahead. In 2023, however, the contrary was the case. Rural residents, including many ethnic minorities, continued to face marginalization because of limited access to education, health care and economic opportunities. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and other disease outbreaks, the country has made significant improvements in health. Nonetheless, progress has been uneven and not everyone has benefited from these achievements. In the mountainous region, many people lack access to quality health care because of the unequal distribution of well-trained health-care workers. Preventable deaths due to poor-quality health care for children and newborns, infants and mothers remain a concern, as do communicable diseases such as sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis. The increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases and the health impact of worsening climate change further heighten the need for strengthened and resilient health systems, which are at risk due to an underfunded health sector and weak economy. This CCS aims to address remaining and future challenges as well as health needs while creating an impact that is sustainable. It identifies three strategic priorities and nine deliverables (Table 1) to support the attainment of the national vision of Health for all by all, as articulated in the 9th Health Sector Development Plan 2021–2025. It contributes to the country’s goals to achieve universal health coverage, graduate from least developed country status by 2026 and attain SDGs by 2030. more

Healthier Populations in Africa

World Health Organisation (WHO) (2023) C_WHO

Promoting health and preventing disease is a critical component of the effort required to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). to date, efforts ... more

State of the World’s Nursing Report - 2020

World Health Organization WHO (2020) C1

The State of the world’s nursing 2020 report provides the latest, most up-to-date evidence on and policy options for the global nursing workforce. It also presents a compelling case for considerable – yet feasible – investment in nursing education, jobs, and leadership. The primary chapters ... more

Kenya national guidelines for cardiovascular diseases management. Handbook

Ministry of Health, Kenya (2018) CC

These guidelines for the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases are a critical ingredient for streamlining care across the entire health services provision continuum. They ... more

Introducing the IPCRG

International Primary Care - Respiratory Group International Primary Care - Respiratory Group (2024) CC2

The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) is a clinically-led charitable company that works locally in primary care and collaborates globally to improve respiratory ... more

Plan of Action for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control 2018-2030

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) (2018) C_WHO

This Plan envisions a future with the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem as a result of universal access to sexual health an ... more

Defeating meningitis by 2030: a global road map

World Health Organization WHO (2021) C_WHO

The meningitis road map has been designated as a flagship global strategy of the WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work, 2019–2023 and is an essential component in achieving universal health ... more

Tuberculosis among populations at high risk and people in vulnerable situations. Policy brief

World Health Organization WHO (2025) CC

This policy brief presents a summary of current evidence on vulnerability to TB and proposes interventions for equitable, person-centred, and human rights-based TB prevention and care. It aligns with WHO policies and guidance on TB prevention and sc ... more