RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Accelerating progress towards universal health coverage in Asia and Pacific: improving the future for women and children JF BMJ Global Health FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP i12 OP i18 DO 10.1136/bmjgh-2016-000190 VO 1 IS Suppl 2 A1 Allison Beattie A1 Robert Yates A1 Douglas J Noble YR 2016 UL http://gh.bmj.com/content/1/Suppl_2/i12.abstract AB Universal health coverage generates significant health and economic benefits and enables governments to reduce inequity. Where universal health coverage has been implemented well, it can contribute to nation-building. This analysis reviews evidence from Asia and Pacific drawing out determinants of successful systems and barriers to progress with a focus on women and children. Access to healthcare is important for women and children and contributes to early childhood development. Universal health coverage is a political process from the start, and public financing is critical and directly related to more equitable health systems. Closing primary healthcare gaps should be the foundation of universal health coverage reforms. Recommendations for policy for national governments to improve universal health coverage are identified, including countries spending < 3% of gross domestic product in public expenditure on health committing to increasing funding by at least 0.3%/year to reach a minimum expenditure threshold of 3%.