How general human rights tools support the right to health: A review

Introduction: The right to health is the economic, social, and cultural right of the individual to have a universal minimum standard of health without any discrimination. With the concern on human rights, the right to health is a highly developing area. Many human rights tools can be identified as strategies for protecting the right to health.

Objective: To understand how the general human rights tools support the right to health.

Methodology: A desk review was conducted to identify and analyze the relevant human rights tools. Data were extracted and summarization techniques were used to compile information.

Results and discussion: Identified human rights tools and strategies were conceptualized. Various treaties and declarations extending from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to constitutional provisions were identified as relevant human rights tools to protect the right to health. Accountability is an important requirement for an effective mechanism. International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and Article 25(1) of the universal declaration were recognized as the main human rights interventions to protect the right to health. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) recognizes the right to health through various other rights such as the right to life and the right to equality. Indicators for the right to health reflect the various dimensions of the health status of a country.

Conclusion: This article focuses to introduce the international human rights mechanism for the right to health concept. Different types of general human rights tools and their relationships to the right to health were also identified.