Health as a Human Right: A Position Paper From the American College of Physicians

Abstract

The relationship of health to rights or human rights is complex. Although many find no right of any kind to health or health care, and others view health care as a right or human right, the American College of Physicians (ACP) instead sees health as a human right. The College, in the ACP Ethics Manual, has long noted the interrelated nature of health and human rights. Health as a human right also has implications for the social and structural determinants of health, including health care. Any rights framework is imperfect, and rights, human rights, and ethical obligations are not synonymous. Individual physicians and the profession have ethical obligations to patients, and these obligations can go beyond matters of rights. Society, too, has responsibilities—the equitable and universal access to appropriate health care is an ethical obligation of a just society. By recognizing health as a human right based in the intrinsic dignity and equality of all patients and supporting the patient–physician relationship and health systems that promote equitable access to appropriate health care, the United States can move closer to respecting, protecting, and fulfilling for all the opportunity for health.