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SOME BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS APPROACH

Human Rights:
• Are guaranteed by international standards;
• Are legally protected;
• Focus on the dignity of the human being;
• Protect individuals and groups;
• Oblige states and state actors;
• Cannot be waived or taken away;
• Are interdependent and interrelated;
• Are universal.

The attainment of the highest possible level of health and
well-being is a fundamental human right, regardless of a
person's color, ethnic background, religion, gender, age,
abilities, sexual orientation or class.

The right to the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health is complex and extensive and encompasses medical care and the underlying determinants of health such as water, sanitation, healthy food, non-discrimination and equality.

Health status is primarily determined by the political, economic, social and physical environment.

The participation of people and people's organizations is essential to the formulation, implementation and evaluation of all health and social policies and programs.

Governments have a fundamental responsibility to ensure universal access to quality health care, education and other social services and goods according to people’s needs, not according to their ability to pay.

Just like the right to a fair trial requires the existence of a justice system, the right to health is realized through an effective health system. A health system consists of four core elements: personal health care services, public or population health services, health research systems, and health in all policies. Effective health systems strengthening requires attention to all four of these elements.