When leaders from the Allies realized the importance of maintaining a peaceful and united world after World War II, they met to form the United Nations in 1945.

Two years later, a similar organization with the goal of providing better health for people everywhere came into being – the World Health Organization (WHO) – on the basis that health is a human right and all people should enjoy the highest standards of health.

The WHO sees universal health coverage as a fundamental step toward that mission.

[Photo/WHO]

What is universal health coverage?

The WHO aims for a world in which people in every corner can have quality health services whenever and wherever they need without financial hardship.

But the reality is that at least half of the people in the world do not have access to the basic health services they need. Millions are struggling for their very existence, desperately seeking food, clean water and shelter, let alone quality health care.

[Photo/WHO]

Data shows about 100 million people are pushed into extreme poverty each year because of out-of-pocket spending on health.Unsafe and low-quality healthcare ruins lives and costs trillions of dollars annually.

What's the basic healthcare system in China?