HiAP and human rights

Health as a major societal objective

HiAP can be justified from a public health perspective or an economic perspective, but in terms of reflecting some of most cherished human values, it is the human rights perspective that gives perhaps the strongest force to HiAP as a strategic tool for policy makers. Health and well-being are undoubtedly major societal objectives in their own right.

Mandates for health

The WHO Constitution states both that "the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being..."

Social and human rights aspects are reflected also in the context of the Treaty of Lisbon. The importance of a high-level of health protection in all policies as been recognised already as part of earlier Treaties in European Union polices.