Movendi International welcomes the report's commitment to primary health care as the foundation for universal health coverage.
Yet a critical obstacle remains unaddressed: alcohol harm. Alcohol is a major, preventable driver of injuries, noncommunicable diseases, mental ill-health, and emergency care demand, placing immense and avoidable strain on PHC systems worldwide.
A recent landmark OECD report proves the point: alcohol harm crowds out primary care and drains health budgets, while high-impact alcohol policies reduce downstream alcohol-related NCDs, injuries, and mental ill-health. Raising alcohol taxes frees up primary care capacity and protects the fiscal space needed to finance universal health coverage.
With the 2027 UN High-Level Meeting on UHC on the horizon, the moment to integrate alcohol policy Best Buys into UHC guidance is now. We call on WHO and Member States to unlock the SAFER alcohol policy blueprint's under-utilised potential to strengthen PHC, advance equity, and build health system sustainability.