Human Rights and Social Inclusion in Health Policies

Abstract This chapter presents analyses of nine HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria policies across Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, and Sudan, using EquiFrame, a framework that encourages a systems approach. The Global Fund partnership invests approximately US$ 4 billion per year in support of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria programs. However, the prevalence of these diseases remains substantial, particularly in Africa. Crucially, these pandemics disproportionately affect the world’s poorest and most marginalized people. Inclusive access to prevention and treatment for vulnerable groups is key to addressing these diseases and is increasingly recognized as a human rights issue. EquiFrame evaluates policies’ commitment to twenty-one core concepts of human rights and inclusion of twelve vulnerable groups. The analyses presented here highlighted strong and weaker policies, and country-specific patterns. For the Global Fund to reach the most vulnerable, it should support policy development that incorporates human rights of vulnerable groups, a vital step toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.