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Global Health Security and Universal Health Coverage: Understanding Convergences and Divergences for a Synergistic Response

23 Pages Posted: 24 Jun 2020

See all articles by Yibeltal Assefa

Yibeltal Assefa

University of Queensland - School of Public Health

Peter S. Hill

University of Queensland - School of Public Health

Charles Gilks

University of Queensland - School of Public Health

Wim Van Damme

Institute of Tropical Medicine

Remco van de Pas

Institute of Tropical Medicine; Centre for Planetary Health Policy; Maastricht University

Solomon Woldeyohannes

University of Queensland - School of Public Health

Simon Reid

University of Queensland - School of Public Health

More...

Abstract

Background: Global health security (GHS) and universal health coverage (UHC) are key global health agendas which aspire for a healthier and safer world. However, there are tensions between GHS and UHC strategy and implementation. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between GHS and UHC using two recent quantitative indices.

Methods: We conducted a macro-analysis to determine the presence of association between GHS index (GHSI) and UHC index (UHCI). We calculated Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination. Analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25 with a 95% level of confidence.

Findings: There is a moderate and significant association between GHSI and UHCI (r=0.662) and individual indices of UHCI (maternal and child health and infectious diseases: r=0.623, 0.594, respectively). However, there is no association between GHSI and the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) index (r=0.063). The risk of GHS threats a significant and negative correlation with the capacity for GHS (r=-0.604) and the capacity for UHC (r=-0.792).

Implications: The aspiration for GHS will not be realized without UHC; hence, the tension between these two global health agendas should be transformed into a synergistic solution. We argue that strengthening the health systems, in tandem with the principles of primary health care, and implementing a “One Health” approach will progressively enable countries to achieve both UHC and GHS towards a healthier and safer world that everyone aspires to live in.

Funding Statement: School of Public Health, the University of Queensland.

Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Keywords: Global Health Security; Public Health Emergencies; International Health Regulations; Universal Health Coverage; Health Systems

Suggested Citation

Assefa, Yibeltal and Hill, Peter S. and Gilks, Charles and Van Damme, Wim and van de Pas, Remco and Woldeyohannes, Solomon and Reid, Simon, Global Health Security and Universal Health Coverage: Understanding Convergences and Divergences for a Synergistic Response (3/31/2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3566188 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3566188

Yibeltal Assefa (Contact Author)

University of Queensland - School of Public Health ( email )

St Lucia
Brisbane
Australia

Peter S. Hill

University of Queensland - School of Public Health

St Lucia
Brisbane
Australia

Charles Gilks

University of Queensland - School of Public Health

St Lucia
Brisbane
Australia

Wim Van Damme

Institute of Tropical Medicine ( email )

B-2000 Antwerp
Belgium

Remco Van de Pas

Institute of Tropical Medicine ( email )

B-2000 Antwerp
Belgium

Centre for Planetary Health Policy ( email )

Maastricht University ( email )

Solomon Woldeyohannes

University of Queensland - School of Public Health

St Lucia
Brisbane
Australia

Simon Reid

University of Queensland - School of Public Health

St Lucia
Brisbane
Australia

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