Universal Health Coverage (UHC) represents a global commitment to ensuring that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without experiencing financial hardship. Achieving UHC requires more than expanding access to care. It demands the design and implementation of effective, evidence-based public health interventions that address the underlying causes of poor health and strengthen health systems at every level.
This year, Universal Health Coverage Day highlights the devastating human impact of unaffordable health costs. Despite repeated high-level political commitments to achieve UHC by 2030, more than half of the world’s population still does not have access to essential health services (World Health Organization, 2025). The World Bank (n.d.) emphasizes that progress toward this Sustainable Development Goal requires a radical reorientation of health systems toward primary health care, stronger equity in access and financial protection, and sustained investment in robust health information systems. Building the capacity of health workers through accessible, high-quality education is essential to driving this transformation and ensuring no one is left behind.
At Public Health U (PHU), our Evaluation of Public Health Interventions course equips health professionals with the tools to rigorously evaluate programs and interventions, directly supporting the global pursuit of UHC. This course is part of our MPH program and explores innovative and rigorous evaluation methods essential for public health practice. Students develop the skills to design, implement, and interpret evaluations that drive impactful health interventions. They learn to generate and interpret evidence, use mixed-methods approaches for complex real-world settings, and translate their findings into actionable recommendations that strengthen health systems and support progress toward Universal Health Coverage.
At PHU, we believe that education is a key pathway to achieving Universal Health Coverage. Our courses are designed to be accessible and affordable, empowering learners worldwide to become change-makers in their communities. Looking toward 2026, our goal is to equip health professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to drive meaningful progress toward universal health care, one well-evaluated intervention at a time. If you are interested in learning more about the Evaluation of Interventions Course or finding out more about our MPH program, please contact us at support.mph@nextgenu.org.
Reference List
World Bank. (n.d.). Universal health coverage. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/universalhealthcoverage
World Health Organization. (2025). Universal Health Coverage Day 2025. https://www.who.int/campaigns/universal-health-coverage-day/2025