World Health Day: Science Must Guide Global Action, WHO Tells Govts
As the world marks World Health Day 2026, themed: “Together for Health. Stand with Science”, the World Health Organisation, WHO on Monday issued a warning on the state of global health, urging governments and communities to act decisively and ensure that scientific evidence guides health policies.
This year’s campaign also marks the anniversary of WHO’s founding on 7 April 1948. In a message to mark the day, the WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “Science is one of humanity’s most powerful tools for protecting and improving health. Vaccines, penicillin, MRI machines, and the mapping of the human genome have saved lives and transformed health for billions of people.”
WHO emphasised that despite progress, health systems remain under threat from climate change, environmental degradation, geopolitical tensions, and emerging diseases. Global maternal mortality has fallen by over 40 per cent since 2000, and child deaths under five have dropped by more than 50 percent but persistent inequalities and strained systems continue to put millions at risk.
“Advances in technology, scientific knowledge and skills, and collaboration between different disciplines, sectors and countries continue to turn once-life-threatening health challenges, such as elevated blood pressure, cancer diagnoses or HIV infection, into manageable health issues, extending and improving lives worldwide.
“Yet, health threats continue to grow, fuelled by climate impacts, environmental degradation, geopolitical tensions and shifting demographics. These challenges include persistent diseases and strained health systems as well as emerging diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential. Across the globe, thousands of scientists, together with organisations such as WHO are accelerating research and developing policies, tools and innovations needed to protect communities today and safeguard the health of future generations.”
Also WHO Chief Scientist, Dr. Sylvie Briand, said: “Science transforms uncertainty into understanding and shows how to protect and heal our communities. Without rigorous scientific guidance, we risk relying on treatments that fail or even harm people.”
To mark the day, WHO and the G7 Presidency of France are convening a One Health Summit in Lyon, bringing together Heads of State, scientists, and community leaders. This will be followed by the Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres, involving over 800 institutions from more than 80 countries.
WHO called for stronger health systems, universal access, and science-led public health decisions, stressing that collaboration across countries and disciplines is essential to tackle persistent and emerging health challenges.
