WHO publishes guidance to measure disability-inclusive health systems

WHO publishes guidance to measure disability-inclusive health systems

WHO/Europe announced on 8 September 2025 the launch of a new Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework designed to help countries assess their progress towards building disability-inclusive health systems. The framework supports the implementation of the WHO European Framework for Action to Achieve the Highest Attainable Standard of Health for Persons with Disabilities 2022–2030, which was adopted by all 53 WHO European Member States in 2022. 

Persons with disabilities continue to experience significant health inequalities. According to Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of Health Systems at WHO/Europe, persons with disabilities can die up to 20 years earlier than the general population and are twice as likely to live with noncommunicable diseases. A major challenge is the lack of reliable data, which makes it difficult for countries to identify gaps and take effective action.

To address this, the new framework translates broad policy commitments into measurable actions. Its aim is to strengthen accountability, improve disability-related health data, support evidence-based policymaking and help countries track progress towards more equitable healthcare systems.

The framework identifies seven priority indicators that countries should monitor until 2030:

• 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.

The WHO also highlights the importance of health system resilience. By including indicators related to emergency preparedness, the framework recognises that crises such as pandemics, natural disasters and other emergencies can disproportionately affect persons with disabilities. Ensuring continuity of essential health services during such events is therefore considered a key component of disability-inclusive healthcare. 

WHO/Europe publication “Monitoring and evaluation framework for the WHO European framework for action to achieve the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities, 2022−2030” available here.

WHO/Europe article about framework for action to achieve the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities, 2022−2030 available here.