The world is witnessing important health gains, but progress remains fragile and increasingly uneven. According to the latest WHO World Health Statistics 2026 report, global efforts to achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are slowing — and in some areas reversing.
Encouraging milestones include a 40% decline in new HIV infections since 2010, reduced tobacco and alcohol consumption, and expanded access to clean water, sanitation, hygiene and clean cooking solutions for billions of people worldwide. The WHO African Region has also recorded major progress against HIV and tuberculosis, while South-East Asia is advancing toward malaria reduction targets.
Yet significant challenges continue to threaten global health progress. Malaria cases are rising, childhood overweight rates are increasing, anaemia still affects nearly one-third of women of reproductive age, and violence against women remains alarmingly widespread. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) progress has slowed sharply, with 1.6 billion people pushed into poverty due to out-of-pocket health expenses.
The report also warns that weak health financing, environmental risks, incomplete recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and poor-quality health data are undermining effective action. WHO leaders are calling for urgent investments in stronger, more equitable health systems, resilient primary healthcare, sustainable financing, and improved digital health data systems to protect hard-won gains and accelerate progress toward the 2030 health goals.
Global health progress is possible — but without urgent action, decades of gains could be lost.
