The sudden suspension of United States funding to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Gavi in 2025 has raised serious concerns for global immunisation programmes. Historically, US support has been instrumental in reducing child mortality and...
What’s next for sugar taxes?
As global rates of obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases continue to rise, governments are increasingly turning to fiscal policies as tools for improving public health. Among the most debated and widely adopted measures are sugar taxes—levies designed...
Avoiding trillion-dollar delays: Pooled pandemic financing to reduce global losses
The Center for Global Development (CGD) has released a working paper by Ruchir Agarwal, Avoiding Trillion-Dollar Delays: Pooled Pandemic Financing to Reduce Global Losses (September 2025). The paper underscores how the absence of a coordinated financing mechanism...

GIZ, Amref & ADB launch AI learning for health insurance reform
GIZ, Amref, and ADB are creating an e-learning course on Amref’s Jibu platform to help policymakers in Africa and Asia integrate AI into health insurance for claims and fraud control. Building on Learning Exchanges, it equips professionals to apply AI responsibly,...
Delivering on Health and Financial Protection for All: Financing Benchmarks for Essential NCD Services and Options for Improving Access to Affordable NCD Medicines
The report published by the NCD Alliance addresses one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time. Chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, along with mental health conditions, now account for the majority of...
Cross-regional study of evidence gaps on unmet needs for health and social care: executive summary
Universal health coverage (UHC) is central to ensuring equitable access to health and social care services, yet significant unmet needs remain across regions, particularly among older populations. While global monitoring indicators track progress toward UHC, they...

Health taxes can save lives and strengthen Africa’s health systems
A new Think Global Health analysis argues that health taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks could save lives, generate revenue, and strengthen Africa’s health systems.African governments face mounting health and fiscal pressures, and a new Think Global Health...
The socioeconomic and health system determinants of financial protection indicators: a global systematic review (2008–2023)
Financial protection is a cornerstone of Universal Health Coverage, yet millions of households worldwide continue to face catastrophic or impoverishing health expenditures. Understanding who is most vulnerable is essential for designing equitable policies and...
No shortcuts to universal health coverage: lessons from accountability initiatives
Universal health coverage (UHC) has long been a global health priority, reaffirmed in multiple international commitments since 2015. Yet despite political momentum, progress has stalled, with 4.5 billion people still lacking access to essential health services and...

Health taxes offer revenue potential and health gains, CGDev blog explains
Sanjeev Gupta and Joao Jalles highlight how health taxes can save lives, curb harmful consumption, and unlock vast untapped revenues for stronger, fairer health systemsA Center for Global Development blog by Sanjeev Gupta and Joao Jalles explores how health taxes can...
Social protection and forced displacement. Lessons learned from a decade of ILO operations
Published by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the brief (authors: Clara Van Panhuys, Lou Tessier, and Lucrezia Roero di Monticello) examines how social protection systems can support the health and well-being of refugees and forcibly displaced populations...
Prices and affordability of essential medicines in 72 low-, middle-, and high-income markets
Access to essential medicines, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a cornerstone of universal health coverage. Yet, many people worldwide face high out-of-pocket costs or limited availability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding...

South Africa’s G20 Presidency Prioritizes UHC, PHC, and Civil Society Engagement
South Africa’s G20 presidency prioritises Universal Health Coverage and civil society engagement, highlighting financing, primary health care, and multilateral collaboration amid global health funding challenges.The G20 presidency is placing Universal Health Coverage...

Tobacco tax in EU budget: What if Europe goes smoke-free?
The EU plans a 15% levy on member states’ tobacco tax revenues, channeling €11.2B a year into its budget. Dramatic new tax hikes aim to curb smoking and expand funds, with measures factoring in declining tobacco use and anticipated cuts to healthcare costs.The...

The impact of conditional cash transfers: The Lancet Public Health July 2025 issue
A new Lancet Public Health editorial highlights the wide-reaching impact of conditional cash transfers on health, equity, and economic resilience—especially in times of fiscal strain.In its July 2025 issue, The Lancet Public Health spotlights the transformative role...