The global childhood vaccination rate in 2024 held steady with 85% of infants and children receiving three doses of the vaccine for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT), used as a global benchmark for immunization rates overall. However large, continued gaps in coverage are propelling outbreaks, including the highest rate of measles cases since 2019. “In […] Continue reading ->
As the world observes World Zoonoses Day, it’s important to remember that human health is intimately tied to the health of animals, wild and domesticated. Five years after COVID-19, the world remains alert to health threats that can cross over from animals to people. Alongside growing concerns over high-profile spillovers like avian influenza, the silent […] Continue reading ->
The world faces a global health funding crisis, but John-Arne Røttingen believes the solution goes beyond money. It lies in stronger partnerships between governments, researchers, and citizens. “Science is not enough to change the world,” said Røttingen, the newly appointed CEO of Wellcome, one of the world’s largest global health foundations. “It must be allied […] Continue reading ->
World Health Organization Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced his new team of 36 directors at headquarters on Tuesday, according to an internal message to WHO staff, seen by Health Policy Watch. Nine of the appointments, including key positions heading the Departments of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, and the newly-combined Department of Environment, […] Continue reading ->
Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr suspended an independent presidential run to back Donald Trump’s bid for the White House, his laser-focus has been on one mission: “Make America Healthy Again” by attacking the threat of chronic disease. Now sitting atop the United States health system, the anti-vaccine scion of the Kennedy dynasty released a major […] Continue reading ->
Dr Mike Ryan, director of the World Health Organization’s emergency response division, held his final press conference Friday in Geneva after eight years leading the UN health agency’s response to global health crises from war and famine to disease outbreaks. In his farewell remarks, Ryan warned of an “era of collapsed funding” following the Trump […] Continue reading ->
A four year WHO-sponsored investigation of the origins of the COVID pandemic by an international group of experts has concluded that “most scientific data and accessible published scientific evidence” support the hypothesis that the novel SARS-CoV2 virus first entered the human population either directly from virus-carrying bats, or from bats to humans via intermediate hosts. […] Continue reading ->
While almost 92% of the world’s population now has basic access to electricity – an improvement since 2022 – over 666 million people remain without access, and the world is off track to reach universal access by 2030, according to the Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report 2025 released on Wednesday. “Clean cooking access […] Continue reading ->
GAVI Vaccine Alliance Secures More than $9 Billion from Donors – Despite US Ambush at Pledging Event
In an harsh reprimand at the global vaccine pledging summit Wednesday, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. attacked Gavi’s record on vaccine safety and said the United States was halting support for the alliance, until it could “re-earn” the public trust. He charged that Gavi had stifled “free speech and legitimate […] Continue reading ->
Better nutrition is crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty affecting millions of people across the world. As international development funding faces unprecedented strain, private sector partnerships are a key piece of the jigsaw to close the nutrition funding gap. With the right approach, we can leverage private sector resources and innovation for mutually beneficial […] Continue reading ->