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Review
. 2017 Nov 10;2(4):e000570.
doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000570. eCollection 2017.

From blockchain technology to global health equity: can cryptocurrencies finance universal health coverage?

Brian M Till  1   2   3 , Alexander W Peters  2   3   4 , Salim Afshar  2   3 , John G Meara, John Meara #  2   3
Affiliations
Review

From blockchain technology to global health equity: can cryptocurrencies finance universal health coverage?

Brian M Till et al. BMJ Glob Health. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies could remake global health financing and usher in an era global health equity and universal health coverage. We outline and provide examples for at least four important ways in which this potential disruption of traditional global health funding mechanisms could occur: universal access to financing through direct transactions without third parties; novel new multilateral financing mechanisms; increased security and reduced fraud and corruption; and the opportunity for open markets for healthcare data that drive discovery and innovation. We see these issues as a paramount to the delivery of healthcare worldwide and relevant for payers and providers of healthcare at state, national and global levels; for government and non-governmental organisations; and for global aid organisations, including the WHO, International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group.

Keywords: health economics; health policy; health systems.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Direct transactions. NGO, non-governmental organisation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Smart contracts.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Healthcare data marketplace.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Casey M. Global Supply Chains Are About to Get Better, Thanks to Blockchain. https://hbr.org/2017/03/global-supply-chains-are-about-to-get-better-tha... (accessed18 Oct 2017).
    1. Niforos M, Ramachandran V. Blockchain: Opportunities for Private Enterprises in Emerging Markets. Washington, DC: International Finance Corporation, 2017.

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