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Fact sheets

Fact Sheet No. 31: The Right to Health

Published

01 June 2008

The right to health is a fundamental part of our human rights and of our understanding of a life in dignity. This jointly issued 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 explains what the right to health is, 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.

Author:

Published jointly by OHCHR with the World Health Organization (WHO)

ISSN:

1014-5567

Print format:

A5 soft cover