Physical accessibility
“is understood as the availability of good health services within reasonable reach of those who need them and of opening hours, appointment systems and other aspects of service organization and delivery that allow people to obtain the services when they need them”. Universal health coverage and universal access, Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2013; 91:546–546A. As defined in the human rights context, “[h]ealth facilities, goods and services must be within safe physical reach for all sections of the population, especially vulnerable or marginalized groups, such as ethnic minorities and indigenous populations, women, children, adolescents, older persons, persons with disabilities and persons with HIV/AIDS, including in rural areas”.
WHO, 25 Questions and Answers on Human Rights
Economic accessibility, or affordability
“is a measure of people’s ability to pay for services without financial hardship. It takes into account not only the price of the health services but also indirect and opportunity costs (e.g. the costs of transportation to and from facilities and of taking time away from work).” Affordability is influenced by the wider health financing system and by household income.
Universal Health Coverage and Universal Access, Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2013; 91:546-546A
Information accessibility
“includes the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas concerning health issues”. This access to information, however, “should not impair the right to have personal health data treated with confidentiality”.
WHO, 25 Questions and Answers on Health and Human Rights.
reference WHO.int