International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Advancing Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities

Around 1.3 billion persons with disabilities continue to face significant health inequities. Many are linked to how health systems are financed. High out-of-pockets costs, narrow benefit packages and the lack of funding for accessibility and reasonable accommodations keep essential services out of reach. 

This year's International Day of Persons with Disabilities is focused on disability-inclusive health financing. 

Following the independent evaluation of the WHO policy on disability, WHO recently launched a video on advancing health equity for persons with disabilities. It responds to a key recommendation to strengthen engagement with persons with disabilities and their representative organizations. Designed to meet accessibility standards, the video promotes awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities, their meaningful participation, and the importance of their leadership to advance health equity. Accessibility features of this video include captioning, sign language interpretation, clear messages, and high colour contrast, to ensure it reaches each and every one of us.

Knowledge

WHO Policy on disability

Knowledge

Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities