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Call for Papers: Health Policy and Practice in Asia: Promoting Universal Coverage SHARE THIS PAGE 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 This call for papers invites submissions of original, unpublished research on topics including but not limited to the following: Government health policy interventions, including central health insurance or assurance schemes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 at a virtual conference hosted by ADBI in June 2025. Additionally, ADBI offers an honorarium of $1,000 for papers accepted for publication in the edited book. Alam, M. A., and S. Rahman. 2023. Health Determinants in the Era of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): An Overview. Population, Sanitation and Health: A Geographical Study Towards Sustainability : 231–257. Al-Worafi, Y. M. 2023. Healthcare Facilities in Developing Countries: Infrastructure. In Handbook of Medical and Health Sciences in Developing Countries: Education, Practice, and Research . Springer International Publishing. Barber, S. L., and M. Rosenberg. 2017. Aging and Universal Health Coverage: Implications for the Asia Pacific Region. Health Systems & Reform 3(3): 154–158. Behera, D. K., D. B. Rahut, H. T. Haridas, and S. H. Tasneem. 2024. Public Versus Private Health Financing Transition in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: Exploring the Crowding-Out Effects. The European Journal of Development Research : 1–30. Bitran, R. 2014. Universal Health Coverage and the Challenge of Informal Employment: Lessons from Developing Countries . World Bank. Chongsuvivatwong, V., K. H. Phua, M. T. Yap, N. S. Pocock, J. H. Hashim, R. Chhem, et al. 2011. Health and Health-Care Systems in Southeast Asia: Diversity and Transitions. The Lancet 377(9763): 429–437. Kakade, S. V., S. P. Suke, D. Patil, G. S. Ali, S. K. Garud, and P. V. Pandit. 2023. Health Policy Implementation in Developing Nations: Challenges and Solutions. South Eastern European Journal of Public Health : 138–149. Kodali, P. B. 2023. Achieving Universal Health Coverage in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: Challenges for Policy Post-Pandemic and Beyond. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy : 607–621. Legido-Quigley, H., and N. Asgari-Jirhandeh. 2018. Resilient and People-Centred Health Systems: Progress, Challenges and Future Directions in Asia . World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia. Mitchell, E., and R. Walker. 2020. Global Ageing: Successes, Challenges and Opportunities. British Journal of Hospital Medicine 81(2): 1–9. Rao, K. D., S. Makimoto, M. Peters, G. M. Leung, G. Bloom, and Y. Katsuma. 2019. Vulnerable Populations and Universal Health Coverage. Leave No One Behind: Time for Specifics on the Sustainable Development Goals . Tandon, A., V. O. Cruz, A. Bhatnagar, H. Wang, T. Haque, and M. Jhalani. 2021. Financing Health Care in the WHO South-East Asia Region: Time for a Reset. WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health , 10 (Suppl 1): S63–S72. Tangcharoensathien, V., W. Patcharanarumol, P. Ir, S. M. Aljunid, A G. Mukti, K. Akkhavong, et al. 2011. Health-Financing Reforms in Southeast Asia: Challenges in Achieving Universal Coverage. The Lancet 377(9768): 863–873. Yip, W. 2019. Healthcare System Challenges in Asia. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Economics and Finance . #J-18808-Ljbffr Asian Development Bank

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