Health systems worldwide are increasingly facing the dual challenges of rising health demands and the unpredictability of emergencies. Recent and ongoing polycrises—whether the COVID-19 pandemic, sporadic outbreaks of emerging or reemerging diseases, or increasingly frequent emergencies resulting from natural hazards—have highlighted the urgent and compelling need for enhanced health system preparedness and resilience. Effective emergency preparedness involves not only robust planning and response strategies but also the capability to adapt and recover quickly from disruptions. This Collection aims to explore the multifaceted aspects of strengthening health systems to ensure they can effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and maintain continuity of care.

Addressing the resilience of health systems is crucial for safeguarding public health and ensuring that healthcare providers can deliver effective services during crises. Recent advancements have included the integration of technology in health management, improved supply chain logistics, and enhanced workforce training. Furthermore, frameworks for assessing health system resilience have been developed, offering valuable insights into best practices. However, ongoing research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies and to implement innovative solutions that can be adapted to various contexts and crises.

Topics for submission but are not limited to:

• Governance, leadership, and policy approaches for resilient health systems
• Frameworks and metrics for assessing and strengthening health system preparedness and resilience
• Financing mechanisms and economic resilience of health systems in emergencies
• Community engagement and locally led strategies in crisis preparedness, response and recovery
• Workforce training, surge capacity, and capability building for emergency response
• Supply chain management and essential resource security during emergencies
• Digital technologies and data-driven innovations for emergency preparedness, response and recovery
• Health system resilience in underserved, vulnerable, or fragile settings

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

The rising costs of healthcare and the increasing burden of out-of-pocket expenses have underscored the need for effective health insurance models that promote financial protection and affordability. This Collection aims to explore innovative approaches to strengthen both private and public health insurance systems, focusing on risk pooling, equitable access, and coverage expansion. By examining various insurance frameworks, we aim to understand how they can better serve populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where catastrophic health expenditures are prevalent.

Advancements in health insurance models have demonstrated the potential to significantly reduce financial barriers to healthcare access, contributing to improved health outcomes. Research has shown that effective risk pooling mechanisms and the implementation of universal health coverage (UHC) can mitigate catastrophic health expenditures and enhance the quality of healthcare services. As health systems worldwide face increasing pressures, it is crucial to identify and share best practices that ensure equitable access to essential health services while maintaining financial sustainability.

Topics for submission:

• Strategies for cost reduction in health insurance
• Addressing catastrophic health expenditure through insurance
• Reducing out-of-pocket costs for vulnerable populations
• Enhancing risk pooling for equitable access
• Advancing universal health coverage (UHC) initiatives

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well Being).

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.