Live Breaking News & Updates on International Health Transitions

Megumi Rosenberg and colleagues argue for standardised survey questions and improved data collection on unmet need, particularly in lower income countries

During the covid-19 pandemic, nearly one fifth of households in 39 low and middle income countries did not access healthcare when needed because of fear of contracting covid-19, movement restrictions, or financial constraints.1 Even in high income settings, estimates suggest almost half of young Europeans aged 18-29 had unmet needs for mental healthcare during the pandemic.2 We define unmet need as the presence of healthcare needs for which people do not or cannot receive quality healthcare.3 This may lead to poor health outcomes, high spending, and productivity loss to individuals and society.

Despite its importance for ensuring people’s right to health, current efforts to measure how well a health system is delivering services do not include unmet need. In 2023, the 76th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution re ....

Mizanur Rahman , Paul Kowal , Md Mizanur Rahman , Shohei Okamoto , Megumi Rosenberg , Viroj Tangcharoensathien , Centre For Health Development , World Health Assembly , Healthcare Access , International Health Transitions , Pharmaceuticals During The Pandemic , Australian National University , Canadian Community Health , National Statistical Office , Ministry Of Public Health , European Union Statistics On Income , Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy , Kobe Centre , World Values , European Union Income , European Health Interview , Commonwealth Fund , Louise Barber , Living Conditions , European Union Statistics , European Health Interview Survey ,