WHO reflects on global health in 2024
Triumphs, challenges, and goals
As the year draws to a close, the World Health Organization (WHO) examines the significant health milestones, breakthroughs, and challenges of 2024. This year has been marked by progress in the fight against diseases, expanding health services, and strengthening global health security.
At the same time, the world faces considerable health challenges, including the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health issues, and the impact of misinformation. As WHO continues to lead global health initiatives, 2024 reminds us of the collective effort needed to ensure a healthier future for all.
Eliminating diseases around the world
In 2024, the WHO saw groundbreaking achievements in eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), malaria, and other health threats. Seven countries—Brazil, Chad, India, Jordan, Pakistan, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam—successfully eliminated a range of neglected diseases, including human African trypanosomiasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, and trachoma. These successes highlight the long-term efforts of these countries and their partners, showcasing the power of global collaboration in disease eradication.
One of the most notable achievements this year was Egypt’s triumph over malaria, a disease that has plagued the country for over a century. Egypt’s success in eliminating malaria was joined by Cabo Verde, which also declared itself malaria-free. Additionally, the Americas region was reaffirmed as measles-free, and Guinea achieved the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus, further solidifying global health progress.
In a significant step towards eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Belize, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Namibia all celebrated success in eradicating the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child. These milestones represent years of effort and reflect the potential for continued progress in the fight against preventable diseases.
Tackling noncommunicable diseases and mental health
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory conditions remain the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Despite the preventable nature of these diseases, the global burden continues to grow, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. WHO highlighted the substantial economic cost of NCDs, which drain healthcare systems and productivity across the globe.
This year, WHO’s Global Report on Trends in Prevalence of Tobacco Use revealed a significant reduction in global tobacco use, from one in three people in 2000 to one in five in 2022. However, tobacco use among children remains a troubling issue, and aggressive marketing by the tobacco industry continues to undermine global health efforts. In response, WHO calls for stronger tobacco control measures and more significant investment in prevention.
NCDs now affect nearly 1.8 billion adults worldwide, with many at risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers due to insufficient physical activity. To combat this, WHO is pushing for more effective partnerships between governments, nongovernmental organisations, and the private sector to promote physical activity and reduce health inequalities.
Mental health has also emerged as a pressing global health issue. The WHO’s Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health highlighted the devastating effects of alcohol and substance use, which caused millions of deaths worldwide in 2019. WHO is advocating for more effective treatment and prevention systems alongside increased public awareness of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.
In 2024, WHO published the first-ever global drowning status report, showing a 38% decrease in drowning deaths worldwide since 2000. This represents a significant achievement in global health, but challenges remain in addressing other public health concerns, such as the growing prevalence of obesity and diabetes. The number of people living with diabetes has surpassed 800 million, a statistic that underscores the urgent need for global action on diet, exercise, and prevention.
Addressing global health security and pandemics
The events of 2024 have shown the necessity of robust global health systems to address potential pandemics and emerging health threats. The WHO responded to multiple health emergencies this year, including crises in Gaza and Sudan and the continued challenge of the mpox outbreak. WHO’s efforts to improve global health security continued with the negotiation of key amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), aiming to enhance international collaboration during health emergencies.
The IHR amendments include a definition of pandemic emergencies, mechanisms for greater international solidarity in health response, and a financial mechanism to ensure equitable access to medical products and funding. These changes are part of WHO’s broader efforts to strengthen international coordination and preparedness, providing the world is better equipped to face future pandemics.
The ongoing negotiations for a global Pandemic Agreement are vital to ensuring that countries can respond swiftly and efficiently to global health threats. WHO’s commitment to ensuring that health systems are resilient, adaptable, and well-financed will be crucial in preventing and managing future health emergencies.
Celebrating immunisation successes
Immunisation continues to be one of the most powerful tools in the fight against disease. WHO’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), launched 50 years ago, has saved an estimated 154 million lives, with the majority being infants. In 2024, 17 countries introduced the malaria vaccine, and WHO’s new single-dose HPV vaccine programme enabled more girls to be protected against cervical cancer. These advances in vaccination are proof of the transformative power of immunisation in saving lives and preventing disease.
WHO’s work in vaccine development and distribution is also helping to safeguard against other infectious diseases. Introducing a new meningitis vaccine, offering protection against five major strains of the meningococcal bacteria in a single dose, will help reduce the global burden of meningitis.
Strengthening WHO’s financial and operational foundations
In 2024, WHO took significant steps to secure predictable, flexible, and resilient financing for its global health initiatives. The first Investment Round, held in 2024, generated 71 new pledges from WHO Member States, philanthropic organisations, and the private sector, ensuring that the Organisation can continue to provide adequate support to governments and health systems worldwide. This increased financial support comes at a crucial time. WHO strengthens its ability to deliver tailored solutions at the country level, empowering local health systems to respond to emergencies and improve healthcare delivery.
The WHO Academy in Lyon also marked a significant milestone in 2024 with the inauguration of a campus and online learning platform to provide lifelong learning for health professionals and policymakers. The Academy will support the development of health workers, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge needed to tackle current and future health challenges.
Combating misinformation and protecting public trust
The spread of misinformation and disinformation is a growing challenge for global health. WHO continues to focus on countering fake news, conspiracy theories, and misleading health information, which can undermine public health efforts. Inaccurate information about diseases, treatments, and vaccines has the potential to erode trust in science and public health initiatives, leading to confusion, fear, and preventable deaths.
WHO’s work to combat misinformation involves direct engagement with governments, media outlets, and the public to promote evidence-based health messages and ensure that populations are not misled by harmful or false information. Maintaining public trust in health systems and policies cannot be overstated, particularly during health crises when the need for coordinated action is most urgent.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond
As 2024 comes to a close, WHO remains committed to addressing today’s health challenges while preparing for the future. Progress in eliminating diseases, promoting health, and strengthening global health security in 2024 provides hope for the year ahead. However, WHO’s work is far from finished, and many challenges remain.
In 2025, WHO will continue to advocate for action on noncommunicable diseases, strengthen immunisation efforts, and ensure that health systems are equipped to respond to emergencies, with a focus on health equity, WHO aims to ensure that no one is left behind in the global pursuit of health for all.
Hero image: In 2024, WHO took significant steps to secure predictable, flexible, and resilient financing for its global health initiatives. Credit: Lino Khim Medrina
