Invest in health and uphold rights to “build back better” after COVID-19

Helen Clark, Anna Gruending

2020Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters25 citationsDOI Open Access PDF

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health crisis - it is a full-blown economic and social crisis that is impacting the lives and livelihoods of billions of people. This commentary examines the mutually dependent relationship between health security and universal health coverage (UHC), and how the longstanding underinvestment in both renders us all vulnerable. It also discusses the vulnerability of services for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in times of crisis, which is compounded when these services are not included and well integrated into national UHC packages. It concludes with a call for stronger political leadership for UHC and SRHR as the global community strives to "build back better" after COVID-19.

Topics & Concepts

LivelihoodCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PandemicVulnerability (computing)Sexual and reproductive health and rightsPoliticsPolitical scienceHealth security2019-20 coronavirus outbreakEconomic growthSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Reproductive healthDevelopment economicsMedicineEnvironmental healthVirologyPublic healthEconomicsReproductive rightsGeographyLawNursingComputer securityPopulationPathologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)Computer scienceDiseaseArchaeologyAgricultureOutbreakGlobal Maternal and Child HealthGlobal Health Care IssuesHealthcare Systems and Reforms