WHO/Europe has launched a new framework to help Member States assess their own progress towards achieving disability-inclusive health systems.
In 2022, all 53 Member States adopted a landmark document, the WHO European Framework for Action to Achieve the Highest Attainable Standard of Health for Persons with Disabilities 2022–2030. The new Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework marks an important step in strengthening accountability, improving data systems and accelerating progress towards this goal.
“Persons with disabilities can die up to 20 years earlier than the general population and are twice as likely to live with noncommunicable disease,” said Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, WHO/Europe’s Director of Health Systems. “When there is no data people think there is no problem, and then no action is taken to improve the health access of persons with disabilities, so they are on a par with the rest of the population. We are seeking to change that with this new publication.”
Turning commitments into measurable action
While countries have made important commitments to disability inclusion, measuring actual progress consistently remains a challenge.
The M&E Framework addresses this gap by translating the ambitions of the regional Framework for Action into a focused set of measurable indicators and reporting mechanisms that support evidence-informed policy-making, accountability and continuous improvement.
It is rooted in WHO's vision that, by 2030, persons with disabilities will be included in health-care planning, delivery and leadership, enabling all people to attain the highest possible standard of health.
Seven indicators to track progress
Following a structured consultation process involving Member States, WHO experts and disability stakeholders, the M&E Framework identifies 7 priority indicators that will support countries to better report progress until 2030. These are:
- disability inclusion measures implemented in national health programmes and strategies;
- disability-disaggregated out-of-pocket health payments as a share of total health expenditure;
- use of contraception or sexually transmitted infection prevention among persons with disabilities (15+);
- persons with disabilities reaching recommended physical activity levels;
- noncommunicable disease mortality rate, disaggregated by disability;
- strategies to maintain essential health services for persons with disabilities during emergencies; and
- use of a valid, reliable monitoring tool for internationally comparable data.
Together, these indicators provide a clearer picture of whether health systems are becoming more inclusive, accessible and equitable.
Supporting accountability and regional learning
The M&E Framework establishes a common reporting approach that will support WHO monitoring at regional level and help Member States assess their own progress. Importantly, the Framework recognizes the growing impact of health emergencies and overlapping crises on vulnerable populations.
By including indicators that monitor countries’ preparedness to maintain essential health services for persons with disabilities during emergencies, it highlights disability inclusion as a critical component of health system resilience.