International Universal Health Coverage Day in the United States

Date: December 12

History: International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) was established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 12, 2012, following the unanimous endorsement of a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC) - that is, ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has access to quality, affordable healthcare. The day has been celebrated annually since 2014 and aims to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and universal health coverage with multi-stakeholder partners.

Traditions: In the United States, UHC Day serves as an opportunity for healthcare advocates, organizations, policymakers, and communities to engage in discussions and activities promoting universal health coverage. Activities may include:

• Public awareness campaigns
• Conferences and webinars
• Publication of reports and research findings on UHC
• Advocacy events aimed at influencing healthcare policy
• Engagement with stakeholders through social media using hashtags like #HealthForAll

What People Do: On this day in the U.S., various stakeholders including NGOs, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community groups may:

1. Organize events to educate the public about the benefits of universal health coverage.
2. Lobby government officials to implement policies that move towards UHC.
3. Partner with global coalitions to share knowledge and strategies.
4. Participate in global conversations through forums or social media platforms.
5. Highlight stories and case studies demonstrating the importance of UHC.

The activities are designed to acknowledge the importance of equitable access to healthcare services without financial hardship as a critical component of sustainable development goals (SDGs).