The contribution of mutual health insurers to improving health

Taken in its broadest sense social protection covers all the measures systems and benefits designed to reduce the uncertainties of life for a human community by protecting its beneficiaries against socially identified and individually perceived risks (disability accident unemployment illness old age and more recently loss of autonomy). In this way it differs from individual self-protection based on assets capital income private insurance or savings. However the fact that it is collectively organised in no way prejudices its other attributes: since the end of the 19th century social protection can be private (secular or religious charity and company protection) or public optional or compulsory local or national territorial or sectoral professional or inter-professional. Health policies seek to extend the benefits of social protection to everyone as in the case of universal health cover.