Unique health identifiers for universal health coverage.

Unique health identifiers for universal health coverage. J Health Popul Nutr. 2019 Oct 18;38(Suppl 1):22 Authors: Mills S, Lee JK, Rassekh BM, Zorko Kodelja M, Bae G, Kang M, Pannarunothai S, Kijsanayotin B Abstract Identifying everyone residing in a country, especially the poor, is an indispensable part of pursuing universal health coverage (UHC). Having information on an individuals' financial protection is also imperative for measuring the progress of UHC. This paper examines different ways of instituting a system of unique health identifiers that can lead toward achieving UHC, particularly in relation to utilizing universal civil registration and national unique identification number systems. Civil registration is a fundamental function of the government that establishes a legal identity for individuals and enables them to access essential public services. National unique identification numbers assigned at birth registration can further link their vital event information with data collected in different sectors, including in finance and health. Some countries use the national unique identification number as the unique health identifier, such as is done in South Korea and Thailand. In other countries, a unique health identifier is created in addition to the national unique identification number, but the two numbers are linked; Slovenia offers an example of this arrangement. The advantages and disadvantages of the system types are ...
Source: Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: J Health Popul Nutr Source Type: research