World Health Report 2013: Research for universal health coverage

This report argues that universal health coverage – with full access to high-quality services for prevention, treatment and financial risk protection – cannot be achieved without the evidence provided by scientific research.

Despite a multinational commitment to universal coverage, there are many unsolved questions on how to provide access to health services and financial risk protection to all people in all settings. Currently most research is invested in new technologies rather than in making better use of existing knowledge. Much more research is needed to turn existing knowledge into practical applications.

The report provides examples of how research contributed to progress toward universal health coverage, including:

• bednets for reducing child deaths
• cash payments for improving child health
• how healthcare is affordable for ageing European populations.

The report calls for:

• Increased international and national investment and support in research aimed specifically at improving coverage of health services within and between countries. 

• Closer collaboration between researchers and policymakers.

• Countries to build research capacity by developing a local workforce of well-trained, motivated researchers. 

• Every country to have comprehensive codes of good research practice in place. 

• Global and national research networks to coordinate research efforts by fostering collaboration and information exchange.