For universal health coverage

With regard to World Health Day, it is important to highlight some of the most overlooked aspects of health.  The World Health Organization (WHO) has given universal health coverage the highlights this year, reinforcing the goal of ensuring that everyone gets the health care they need, close on time (when they need it), close in place (in their community), close to their situation (what they need).  It is also important to recall WHO's definition of health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not only the absence of disease or infirmity".

 It follows that in order to comply with the definition of health and with universal health coverage, despite all (and that is a lot!) of what we have already achieved, much still remains to be done.  It is only in recent years that the importance of prevention and of behavioral causes of many diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, depression, anxiety or obesity, has gained increasing attention from the population and policy makers.  It is only recently that the gaps in access to services provided by psychologists, whether in relation to physical, mental and social well-being and related living habits, or in the intervention of mental disorders have gained more expression and visibility, although much needs to be done. Without creating the conditions for citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, to have access to this type of health care and prevention, either at the level of primary health care or community projects, or at organizations preventing and intervening in psychosocial risks or in schools  helping to promote adjustment, school success and protective socio-emotional skills for development and a healthy life we can’t sustainably pursue a universal physical, mental and social health.

 We are living a decisive moment when it comes to health.  Citizens are more than ever the primary decision-makers and decision-makers who will ensure more and better health for future.

Adapted from an article published on https://observador.pt/opiniao/para-uma-cobertura-universal-da-saude/