Budget allocation for Brazil’s Unified Health System to increase by 6.2% in 2025
Summary: Recent budget discussions in Brazil indicate that the allocation to the Unified Health System (SUS) will increase by 6.2% compared to 2024. The major areas for growth are for primary health care as well as for specialized care.Brazil’s Unified Health System...
Universal health coverage in fragile and conflict-affected States: insights from Somalia
A new open-access research article published in the International Journal for Equity in Health examines Somalia’s progress toward achieving universal health coverage (UHC) in the context of ongoing fragility and conflict. Titled "Universal health coverage in fragile...
Experts call for health taxes, double spending to reform Pakistan’s primary healthcare system
Experts have proposed comprehensive reforms to Pakistan’s primary healthcare system, advocating for health taxes, a shift to prepayment financing, and increased public health spending to improve access and reduce financial burdens on households. The symposium...
Financing the cost of health care in Jamaica
The Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness published a discussion paper on health financing for UHC in July, 2023. The paper aimed to stimulate broad public discussion on sustainable financing of the health sector as the country strives towards achieving Universal...
Belize National Health Insurance Authority Bill -2024
On November 12, 2024 the government of Belize passed an important bill to establish a National Health Insurance Authority (NHI). The bill includes details on NHI functions, management and financing as well as associated health care providers.
Budget reform increases resources for health in El Salvador
Members of El Salvador's Legislative Assembly approved a budget increase to support the Salud Inteligente Integral (PROSIN) program at the national level. Components include digital health, strengthening health resilience and strengthening the network. On February 19,...
Global health experts call for accountability in private sector influence
Experts at a UNU-IIGH symposium urged stronger regulation of private sector influence to protect public health and ensure equity in global health governance. The United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) and Third World Network...
Kazakhstan’s Primary Health Care Reform Saves Millions, Offers Model for Global Health Systems
Kazakhstan has successfully strengthened its primary health care system, achieving significant cost savings and improving health outcomes by integrating mental health services and adopting a multidisciplinary approach to community care. Kazakhstan has made significant...
Changes in the safety net over recent decades and their impact
This paper examines the evolution and effectiveness of the safety net over the past half-century in USA. It finds that while some programs have contracted, the safety net has overall grown substantially stronger through expansions that have significantly reduced...
Conditional cash transfers to improve health in Guatemala
Guatemala's Ministry of Social Development grants social bonds to vulnerable families in exchange for commitments to participate in health and education services.In April 2025, the Guatemalan Ministry of Social Development (MIDES) delivered financial assistance under...
How Japan could shape the future of the NHS
To help deal with its ageing population, Japan offers super bespoke health programmes for individual citizens, which aim to do a better job at predicting and preventing illnesses and make emergency care less necessary.The Health Secretary is taking a bold step forward...
Health impact and economic evaluation of the Expanded Program on Immunization in China from 1974 to 2024: a modelling study
The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in China, initiated by WHO in 1974, has significantly reduced disease burden by vaccinating against eight pathogens, averting an estimated 703 million cases and 2.48 million deaths over 50 years. The program has also...
Price increases at clinics fuel Korea’s health insurance expenditure growth
A report by the Korea Development Institute reveals that rising health insurance spending in Korea is primarily driven by increasing prices at clinics and outpatient services, leading to concerns about the system's sustainability. A recent report from the Korea...
Dominica Macro-Fiscal Context and Health Financing Factsheet
Macro-Fiscal Context and Health Financing Factsheets developed by the World Bank provide graphical representations of 14 key indicators linked to the larger macro fiscal environment in which a health system operates. This fact sheet on Dominica shows historical data...
Swiss Citizens’ Assembly backs sugar tax in health push
The Citizens’ Assembly in Switzerland has proposed a tax on sugary foods and drinks as part of six reforms aimed at improving public health, which also includes higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco, enhanced health literacy, and stricter advertising restrictions. The...