[EQ] The Right to Health

The Right to Health

Fact Sheet No. 31 - 2008

Joint publication by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the World Health Organization (WHO)

 

Available online PDF [52p.] at: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/Factsheet31.pdf

 

“…..This fact sheet aims to shed light on the right to health in international human rights law as it currently stands, amidst the plethora of initiatives and proposals as to what the right to health may or should be. Consequently, it does not purport to provide an exhaustive list of relevant issues or to identify specific standards in relation to them.

 

The fact sheet starts by explaining what the right to health is and illustrating its implications for specific individuals and groups, and then elaborates upon States' obligations with respect to the right. It ends with an overview of national, regional and international accountability and monitoring mechanisms….”

 

Content:

 

Introduction

I. WHAT IS THE RIGHT TO HEALTH?

A. Key aspects of the right to health

B. Common misconceptions about the right to health

C. The link between the right to health and other human rights

D. How does the principle of non-discrimination apply to the right to health?

E. The right to health in international human rights law

II. HOW DOES THE RIGHT TO HEALTH APPLY TO SPECIFIC GROUPS?

A. Women

B. Children and adolescents

C. Persons with disabilities

D. Migrants

E. Persons living with HIV/AIDS

III. OBLIGATIONS ON STATES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OTHERS TOWARDS THE RIGHT TO HEALTH

A. General obligations

Progressive realization

Taking steps to realize the right to health

Core minimum obligation

B. Three types of obligations

The obligation to respect

The obligation to protect

The obligation to fulfill

C. Do others have responsibilities too?

United Nations bodies and specialized agencies

The private sector

IV. MONITORING THE RIGHT TO HEALTH AND HOLDING STATES ACCOUNTABLE

A. Accountability and monitoring at the national level

B. Accountability at the regional level

C. International monitoring

Annex: Selected international instruments and other documents related to the right to health

 

 

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