Access to health care as a human right in international policy: critical reflections and contemporary challenges

Ciencia e Saude Coletiva

Castillo, Camilo Hernán Manchola¹  Garrafa, Volnei¹  Hellmann, Fernando²  Cunha, Thiago² 

[1] Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brasil;Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil;Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brasil

关键词: Global health;    Human rights;    Bioethics;    International agencies;   

DOI  :  10.1590/1413-81232017227.04472017

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Associacao Brasileira de Pos - Graduacao em Saude Coletiva

【 摘 要 】

Using the United Nations (UN) and its subordinate body, the World Health Organization (WHO), as a frame of reference, this article explores access to healthcare as a human right in international intergovernmental policies. First, we look at how the theme of health is treated within the UN, focusing on the concept of global health. We then discuss the concept of global health from a human rights perspective and go on to outline the debate surrounding universal coverage versus universal access as a human right, addressing some important ethical questions. Thereafter, we discuss universal coverage versus universal access using the critical and constructivist theories of international relations as a frame of reference. Finally, it is concluded that, faced with the persistence of huge global health inequalities, the WHO began to reshape itself, leaving behind the notion of health as a human right and imposing the challenge of reducing the wide gap that separates international intergovernmental laws from reality.

【 授权许可】

CC BY