Extracts below and a comment from me. Full text here: https://www.who.int/news/item/13-05-2026-global-health-gains-face-threat...
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WHO: Global health gains face threat of reversal
Urgent action for stronger health systems backed by improved data is needed to protect progress
13 May 2026 News release
The world is falling short on health targets, with progress uneven, slowing, and in some areas reversing, according to the World Health Statistics 2026 report, published today by the World Health Organization (WHO).
While there have been meaningful improvements in global health over the past decade, with millions benefiting from better prevention, treatment and access to essential services, persistent and emerging challenges mean that the world remains off track to achieve any of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030...
Progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) has slowed sharply. The global UHC service coverage index rose only slightly from 68 to 71 between 2015 and 2023. One quarter of the global population faced financial hardship from health costs, and 1.6 billion people were living in or pushed into poverty due to out-of-pocket health spending in 2022. At the same time, childhood vaccination coverage remains below target, with immunity gaps contributing to outbreaks...
“Data gaps severely limit the ability to monitor real-time health trends, compare outcomes across countries, and design effective public health responses,” said Dr Alain Labrique, Director for the Department of Data, Digital Health, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence...
The World Health Statistics 2026 report sends a clear message: while global health efforts are delivering results, progress is fragile and insufficient. Accelerated action, stronger health systems, and improved data are urgently needed to renew progress toward the 2030 health goals...
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COMMENT (NPW): While health data are essential for monitoring progress and for evidence-informed policymaking, the availability and use of reliable healthcare information for the general public and for health workers is even more important. An individual doesn't die from a statistic, but from a false belief, a delay in seeking care, a misdiagnosis or an incorrect intervention. A failure to translate evidence into real-world decisions and practice.