The 78ᵗʰ World Health Assembly in Geneva marked a pivotal moment in the history of global health governance. With an ambitious agenda, bold commitments, and the adoption of numerous groundbreaking resolutions, this Assembly delivered landmark achievements that are poised to shape the future of health systems, policies, and outcomes for decades to come.
Below, I summarize key outcomes and share reflections on several particularly impactful areas - including long-overlooked health issues that finally received the global attention they deserve. From noncommunicable disease priorities like kidney health and rare diseases, to historic agreements on pandemic preparedness, and crucial advancements in health financing, the WHA78 has set the stage for a more equitable and resilient global health architecture.
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Landmark Resolutions Adopted at WHA78
- WHO Pandemic Agreement (WHA78.1) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R1-en.pdf -- world's first international accord on pandemic prevention, with mechanisms for equitable pathogen sharing, financing, and supply chain coordination.
- Programme budget 2026--2027 (WHA78.2) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R2-en.pdf -- endorses US$ 4.2 billion base budget and a 20% rise in assessed contributions.
- Strengthening the evidence-base for public health and social measures (WHA78.3) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R3-en.pdf -- reinforces use of strong data and evidence to guide public health interventions.
- Promoting and prioritizing an integrated lung health approach (WHA78.5) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R5-en.pdf -- tackles asthma, COPD, pneumonia, TB, and lung cancer via prevention, diagnostics, and cleaner air policies.
- Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases through promotion of kidney health (WHA78.6) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R6-en.pdf -- elevates kidney care within NCD strategies, urging early detection, affordable care, and system integration.
- Primary prevention and integrated care for sensory impairments (WHA78.7) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R7-en.pdf -- focuses on prevention, access to eye and ear care services for 2.2 billion people.
- World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day (WHA78.8) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R8-en.pdf -- establishes 17 November as global awareness day to advance elimination strategies.
- Fostering social connection for global health (WHA78.9) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R9-en.pdf -- addresses loneliness by integrating social ties into health equity efforts and community well-being strategies.
- Strengthening national capacities in evidence-based decision-making (WHA78.10) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R10-en.pdf -- builds competencies for effective norms implementation and adoption of WHO standards across countries.
- Rare diseases: a global health priority for equity and inclusion (WHA78.11) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R11-en.pdf -- mandates national plans, diagnostics access, and a 10-year WHO action plan for ~300 million globally affected.
- Strengthening health financing globally (WHA78.12) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R12-en.pdf -- declares a global financing emergency and urges sustainable, domestic health investments.
- Strengthening medical imaging capacity (WHA78.13) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R13-en.pdf -- aims to increase access to diagnostic imaging in underserved areas through capacity-building and technology sharing.
- Accelerating the eradication of dracunculiasis (Guinea worm) (WHA78.14) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R14-en.pdf -- reaffirms commitment to eliminate the disease from the remaining endemic regions by accelerating surveillance and community engagement.
- Skin diseases as a global public health priority (WHA78.15) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R15-en.pdf -- targets equity in treatment access and prevention strategies for neglected skin conditions, integrating them into primary care.
- Accelerating action on the global health and care workforce by 2030 (WHA78.16) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R16-en.pdf -- commits to training, retention, and equitable distribution of health workers, focusing on rural and underserved regions.
- Incorporation of the World Prematurity Day into the WHO calendar (WHA78.17) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R17-en.pdf -- boosts newborn survival via increased visibility and campaign actions, driving policy focus and resource allocation.
- Regulating the digital marketing of breast‑milk substitutes (WHA78.18) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R18-en.pdf -- extends the International Code to digital platforms, curbing aggressive formula marketing.
- Updated road map for air pollution (decision WHA78.26) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/WHA78_26-en.pdf -- commits to halving health impacts from air pollution by 2040 through emissions standards and intersectoral policy.
- Global action plan on climate change and health (WHA78.27) https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R27-en.pdf -- integrates climate resilience and health adaptation strategies into national public health planning.
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Spotlight on Kidney Health: Why It Matters
This resolution represents a pivotal opportunity: no person with kidney disease should be left behind https://scientific-tools.org/news/kidney-health-is-a-part-of-global-heal.... By advancing access to early diagnostics, timely interventions, and stronger, more equitable health systems, it paves the way for better outcomes and dignity in kidney care for millions worldwide.
Kidney Disease is a Silent but Massive Global Threat
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality from NCDs and a high-impact global health issue:
- CKD affects nearly 700 million people worldwide, with prevalence doubling from 1990 to 2019.
- Awareness is alarmingly low: less than 10% of general populations and less than 20% of high-risk groups (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) in LMICs know they have CKD.
- In 2019 alone, CKD caused 1.4 million direct deaths and another 1.7 million deaths where kidney dysfunction contributed to cardiovascular disease - making it the 11th leading disease cause and the 7th leading risk factor when counting all effects.
- CKD's age-standardised mortality rate has grown faster than any major NCD and is projected to become the 5th leading cause of death by 2040.
Diagnosis and Early Intervention Are Straightforward, Yet Underutilized
- CKD can be detected through two simple, low-cost tests: urinalysis and serum creatinine measurement with subsequent calculation of estimated glomerular filtration rate. However, these two simple tests are not performed in a substantial proportion of high-risk patients (those having diabetes, hypertension, etc). The lack of timely diagnostics leads to the absence of treatment and CKD progression.
- Early-stage CKD is treatable with affordable generic ACE inhibitors or ARBs.
- If left unchecked, CKD can progresses to late stages that require costly dialysis or kidney transplant - the options many LMICs cannot fully support, causing catastrophic out-of-pocket spending.
Resolution Impact: National Inclusion and Global Equity
Despite its heft, CKD has historically been excluded from many countries' health strategies. The WHA78 Kidney Health Resolution:
- Facilitates a formal incorporation of CKD into national NCD policies - this is a critical first step, but the whole action package is required.
- Urges early CKD detection, prevention and treatment, and affordable care access across health systems.
- Suggests health system strengthening for addressing the needs of kidney care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
- Promotes integrated primary care models, shared risk-factor control (diabetes, hypertension), and cross-sector collaboration (including rural and humanitarian settings).
- Advocates for universal access to essential diagnostics and medicines, regional collaboration, research investment.
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Pandemic Agreement
The Pandemic Agreement marks a historic multilateral milestone:
- It culminates over three years of intense global negotiations, initiated in the wake of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
- It establishes a legally binding, equity-centered framework to guide future pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
- Core pillars include Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS), a new international financing mechanism, and coordinated global supply chain logistics.
- Next steps include finalizing the PABS annex and securing ratification by at least 60 countries for the agreement to enter into force.
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Sensory Impairment Resolution
Primary prevention and integrated care for sensory impairments emphasizes:
- Mission to address 2.2 billion vision-impaired and 1.5 billion hearing-impaired individuals worldwide - including in emergencies and underserved communities.
- Promotes early vision and hearing screening, integration into primary care, and innovation in affordable assistive technologies.
- Encourages health surveillance systems and workforce training to broaden access, particularly across low-resource and crisis-affected settings.
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Strengthening WHO Financing & Governance
WHA78's funding decisions dramatically boost WHO's autonomy:
- Member States approved a 20% increase in assessed contributions resulting in a US$ 4.2 billion base budget for 2026-27.
- Assessed contributions now account for ~40% of the budget (up from 16% in 2020-21), aiming for 50% by 2030-31.
- In addition, the WHO Investment Round generated US$ 210 million in flexible support, diversifying donor base and totaling over US$ 1.9 billion raised thus far.
- These measures reinforce WHO's operational independence, reduce reliance on earmarked funds, and align financing with strategic priorities.
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WHA78 reflects an unprecedented global solidarity --- prioritizing pandemic equity, financing stability, diverse NCDs inclusion, digital health resilience, and health workforce strengthening.
But adoption is just the beginning. Further actions are essential:
- Translate resolutions into national plans, especially CKD, rare diseases, lung and sensory health.
- Secure sustainable budgets via domestic health financing aligned with WHO guidance.
- Track and report progress, fostering transparency and accountability.
HIFA profile: Boris Bikbov is a Senior Researcher at Scientific-Tools.Org, Italy. Professional interests: Public health; Non-comunicable diseases; Kidney disease, chronic and acute; Diabetes; Cardiovascular diseases; Data management; Statistical analysis. boris.bikbov AT gmail.com