Unique health identifiers for universal health coverage

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Social Policy

Background:

• Universal health coverage (UHC) requires accurate identification of all residents, particularly vulnerable populations.
• Financial protection data is essential for monitoring UHC progress.
• Civil registration establishes legal identity and access to public services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine methods for establishing unique health identifiers to advance UHC.
• To explore the integration of civil registration and national unique identification number systems for UHC.
• To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different unique health identifier system types.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of existing national unique identification number and civil registration systems.
• Case study review of countries utilizing national unique identification numbers as unique health identifiers (e.g., South Korea, Thailand).
• Examination of systems creating separate but linked unique health identifiers alongside national identification numbers (e.g., Slovenia).

Main Results:

• National unique identification numbers can serve as unique health identifiers.
• Separate unique health identifiers can be linked to national identification numbers.
• Both approaches, when integrated with civil registration, demonstrate benefits.

Conclusions:

• Linking health systems with civil registration and national identity management is key to effective and efficient UHC.
• The choice between using national unique identification numbers as health identifiers or creating linked identifiers depends on country-specific contexts.
• Robust identification systems are fundamental for achieving UHC goals and ensuring financial protection.