Call Papers: Health Policy and Practice in Asia: Promoting Universal Coverage

Asia’s healthcare sector is grappling with multiple challenges as it aims to deliver accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare to its vast population (Legido-Quigley and Nima 2018). The region’s rapid economic growth, urbanization, and technological advancements have created both opportunities and obstacles for healthcare delivery (Chongsuvivatwong et al. 2011). Central to this effort is the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, though inadequate public health infrastructure, healthcare financing issues, and the integration of traditional and modern medicine remain significant hurdles (Alam and Rahman 2023;

Kodali 2023).

A key barrier to UHC in Asia is the reliance on out-of-pocket spending, which places a considerable financial burden on individuals and families, especially in Southeast Asia, where about 37% of catastrophic health expenditures are paid out-of-pocket (Tangcharoensathien et al. 2011; Yip 2019; Tandon et al. 2021). This reliance exacerbates health disparities and limits access to essential healthcare services, with only half of the region’s countries enacting UHC-supportive legislation (Bitran 2014;

Behera et al. 2024). As populations in Asia age, healthcare systems must adapt to meet the needs of chronic disease management and geriatric care, which requires substantial investments in infrastructure and workforce development (Barber and Rosenberg 2017; Mitchell and Walker 2020).

Addressing these complex healthcare challenges demands a collaborative approach among governments, healthcare stakeholders, and international organizations. Enhancing health governance, expanding healthcare infrastructure, and implementing policies that ensure equitable access to healthcare are crucial (Al-Worafi 2023; Kakade et al. 2023). A particular focus on the needs of aging populations will be essential to achieving UHC and promoting the well-being of all demographic groups across the region (Rao et al.

2019).

This call for papers invites submissions of original, unpublished research on topics including but not limited to the following:

• Government health policy interventions, including central health insurance or assurance schemes and regional/provincial-level policies.
• Analysis of healthcare policies’ impact on mortality rates, disease prevalence, and healthcare utilization.
• Examination of healthcare policies’ effects on financial protection, access to essential services, and equity in healthcare outcomes.
• Development of evidence-based recommendations for strengthening healthcare interventions and optimizing resource allocation.
• Research aligning with SDG Target 3.8, focusing on maternal and child health, aging care, mental health, and health systems.
• Studies on health governance, health technology, and their role in advancing universal health coverage and broader SDGs.
• Empirical analyses using panel or time-series data on health policy, systems, healthcare financing, and health outcomes.
• Exploration of fiscal policy’s influence on health outcomes and macroeconomic health impacts.
• Qualitative or cross-sectional studies on health policy, systems, and development.
• Evaluations demonstrating the role of government healthcare policies in achieving UHC in the Asian context.

Research papers focusing on any country or group of countries within Asia are invited. Authors are encouraged to link their papers to the promotion of UHC, the achievement of health-related SDG goals, and the exploration of health policy and systems. Authors are required to submit a full paper in English, between 6,000 and 8,000 words, including a 150–250 word abstract, by 02 March 2025.

The paper should be organized under the following headings:
Abstract, Background, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusions. Any supplementary files should also be submitted. All papers must be original or reviewed work that has not been previously published or is currently under review by any other journal, conference, or outlet. Authors of accepted papers will be invited to present their work…