Katherine Pettus holds a PhD in political theory from Columbia University, and a master’s in health law and policy from the University of California San Diego. As senior advocacy director for the International Hospice and Palliative Care, Katherine leads delegations at meetings of UN entities to advocate for improved availability, and rational use of opioids for palliative care as a component of the right to health. She addresses issues of global palliative care development and policy as an essential element of primary health care and universal health coverage throughout the life course.