BACKGROUND
As part of Sustainable Development Goal no. 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages - policy-makers from around the world have pledged to take decisive steps to ensure universal health coverage. As population is ageing fast in Europe, it is high time to discuss what are the implications of this pledge to long-term care systems, whose coverage remains far from universal, even in Europe.
AIMS
To discuss the application of the concept of universal health coverage to long-term care in the context of Europe and develop a conceptual note on the issue.
METHODS
Literature review of current coverage of long-term care systems and Europe and mechanisms to ensure access and regulate user cost-sharing.
ACTIVITIES/MILESTONES
To develop and publish a conceptual note on the application of the principle of UHC to long-term care, including implications for policy development.
WHO Regional Office for Europe