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IJERPH
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Health Equity and Universal Health Coverage
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Health Equity and Universal Health Coverage

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 October 2025 | Viewed by 2710

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Inmaculada Mateo-Rodríguez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Andalusian School of Public Health, 18011 Granada, Spain
2. Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: public health; mental health; health inequalities; gender inequalities; occupational health; healthy ageing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Antonio Daponte-Codina

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Andalusian School of Public Health, 18011 Granada, Spain
Interests: public health; environmental health; health inequalities; determinants of health; epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Universal Health Coverage (UHC) implies that "all people and communities receive the health services they need without limitations due to their economic situation”. Universal health coverage must include not only the treatment of acute and chronic diseases but also activities focused on the prevention of health problems, rehabilitation and palliative care, and health promotion including physical and mental health across the life course. 

Achieving UHC is one of the targets the nations of the world set when they adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. Additionally, it is a prerequisite and condition of health equity, hence the importance of scientific studies on the progress that is being made towards this goal, and knowing if all types of health services are affected to the same extent. It is also important to collect evidence about how advances in UHC impact on health outcomes in different social groups (defined by gender, age, social class, race, etc.). Lastly, it is also of interest to know proposals and reflections on how to achieve and implement sustainable policies that bring us closer to the objective of equity in health and UHC.

Prof. Dr. Inmaculada Mateo-Rodríguez
Prof. Dr. Antonio Daponte-Codina
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • universal health coverage
  • mental and physical services
  • health equity
  • health inequality
  • social determinants of health

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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14 pages, 1712 KiB  
Article
Improving Access to Radiotherapy Services in Gauteng: Quantitative Analysis of Key Time Intervals from Diagnosis to Treatment
by Portia N. Ramashia, Pauline B. Nkosi and Thokozani P. Mbonane
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 544; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040544 - 2 Apr 2025
Viewed by 310
Abstract
Background: Timely access to radiotherapy is crucial for optimal cancer treatment outcomes, as delays in receiving treatment can lead to disease progression and decreased chances of survival. Healthcare systems need to prioritise efficient scheduling and coordination of radiotherapy services to ensure patients receive [...] Read more.
Background: Timely access to radiotherapy is crucial for optimal cancer treatment outcomes, as delays in receiving treatment can lead to disease progression and decreased chances of survival. Healthcare systems need to prioritise efficient scheduling and coordination of radiotherapy services to ensure patients receive timely care. This study aims to quantitatively analyse the key time intervals in the cancer care continuum, specifically from diagnosis to the start of radiotherapy treatment in Gauteng. Methods: Data from 800 patients treated between January and December 2023 were analysed using a retrospective analysis of patient records from the two public radiotherapy centres in Gauteng Province, one in Johannesburg and the other in Pretoria, focusing on key time intervals in the cancer care continuum. The durations from diagnosis to the commencement of radiotherapy were analysed. Results: The mean duration of the first consultation was 8.32 months, highlighting significant delays in accessing specialised care. This finding is further supported by the average time until a Computed Tomography (CT) simulation, which was 13.38 months, highlighting a considerable delay in treatment planning. Conclusion: This study highlights systemic delays in the Gauteng radiotherapy pathway, highlighting the need for optimisation of referral processes, resource constraints, and strategies to improve cancer care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Equity and Universal Health Coverage)
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11 pages, 566 KiB  
Article
Correlation and Trends in Primary Health Care and Family Health Strategy Coverage of Leprosy Detection in Minas Gerais
by Daniele dos Santos Lages, Isabela Cristina Lana Maciel, Sarah Lamas Vidal and Francisco Carlos Félix Lana
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040490 - 25 Mar 2025
Viewed by 254
Abstract
Leprosy, a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, continues to be a significant public health challenge in Brazil, which has a high rate of new cases and late diagnoses. This study investigates the relationship between Primary Health Care (PHC) and Family Health Strategy [...] Read more.
Leprosy, a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, continues to be a significant public health challenge in Brazil, which has a high rate of new cases and late diagnoses. This study investigates the relationship between Primary Health Care (PHC) and Family Health Strategy (FHS) coverage and leprosy detection in Minas Gerais, a state marked by heterogeneity in the distribution of the disease. This observational and ecological study analyzed data from 2010 to 2020, which were obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) and the EGESTOR-AB portal. Using statistical methods, such as Pearson’s correlation and Prais–Winsten Linear Regression, trends and associations between coverage variables and leprosy indicators were assessed. This study found that PHC and FHS coverage expansion in Minas Gerais was not directly associated with a uniform reduction in late leprosy diagnosis. The findings indicate that the expansion of PHC and the FHS has not been accompanied by a homogeneous reduction in late diagnoses. It is therefore recommended that active surveillance actions be strengthened, that teams be continuously trained, and that strategies recommended by the WHO be integrated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Equity and Universal Health Coverage)
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Other

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15 pages, 445 KiB  
Systematic Review
Barriers to Radiotherapy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa for Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review
by Portia N. Ramashia, Pauline B. Nkosi and Thokozani P. Mbonane
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(12), 1597; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121597 - 30 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1476
Abstract
Background: Access to radiotherapy services is critical for effective cancer treatment, yet patients in sub-Saharan Africa face numerous barriers to accessing these services. The region is experiencing a significant increase in cancer cases, with a more than 85% increase in cancer cases reported [...] Read more.
Background: Access to radiotherapy services is critical for effective cancer treatment, yet patients in sub-Saharan Africa face numerous barriers to accessing these services. The region is experiencing a significant increase in cancer cases, with a more than 85% increase in cancer cases reported in the past decade, highlighting the critical role of radiotherapy in enhancing patient prognosis. This systematic review aims to explore the barriers to radiotherapy access in sub-Saharan Africa. The barriers explored will be used to inform the development of the framework to improve access to radiotherapy in the Gauteng provinces, South Africa. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published between January 2013 and December 2023. Studies reporting on barriers to radiotherapy access in SSA were included and put into four categories of barriers: health system factors, patient sociodemographic factors, patient factors, and provider factors. Data were synthesised using thematic analysis. Results: This review identifies geographical, financial, cultural, logistical, and systemic barriers to radiotherapy access in sub-Saharan Africa, including limited infrastructure, long travel distances, and inequitable distribution of services. Systemic barriers, including policy gaps and governance issues, also contribute to the inequitable distribution of radiotherapy services in the region. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights the diverse array of barriers to radiotherapy access in sub-Saharan Africa and emphasises the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Equity and Universal Health Coverage)
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