Sexual and reproductive health and universal health coverage

Advancing access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) within health systems and the wider universal health coverage (UHC) agenda rests within a primary health care (PHC) approach.

Half of the world’s population lacks access to essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health services. Leaving no one behind requires attention and action to the needs of women, adolescents, and the most vulnerable and marginalized.

The evidence on the necessity of addressing this gap is strong. How to address the gap is highly contextual, specific to the region, country, culture and demographic. The majority of sexual reproductive health services can be provided through quality, people-centred PHC.

WHO’s strategy for improving universal access to SRHR in the context of UHC through a PHC approach, includes activities in four key areas; 1) Developing normative guidelines and tools; 2) Supporting research and building evidence; 3) Providing technical support and 4) Building momentum and political action.

The following tools are available:

• Critical considerations for achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health in the context of universal health coverage through a primary health care approach: This handbook covers guidance for the inclusion of comprehensive sexual reproductive health services in health benefit packages, planning and implementation of integrated packages of sexual reproductive health services, as well as accountability processes and measures for ensuring universal access to all essential sexual reproductive services.
• Learning through Sharing Portal: An online repository of qualitative case studies documenting the experiences of stakeholders in implementing an integrated sexual reproductive health and UHC agenda.