Three trends from the 78th World Health Assembly - and what it means for improving global health outcomes

Last month, CIFF participated in the World Health Assembly - the highest state-level decision-making space for global health - where we supported and spoke at a range of events setting out global health priorities and policies for the year.

Our team on the ground in Geneva spotted three key trends for philanthropies, thought leaders and NGOs across the health and development sector that will shape our work in the years to come - integration, innovation and collaboration - with health equity as a common thread across them all.

Trend #1 - Integration: Governments are stepping up the integration of their health strategies

Extreme heat, air quality and water scarcity - these issues are increasingly shaping how countries think about nutrition, maternal health, child survival and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). But while the relationship between these issues has been recognised for some time, practical action is now essential. 

Keeping track: National responses are moving in this practical direction, with concrete integration of climate within their health strategies. There is growing interest from African governments in understanding climate and health effects, with organisations like the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) supporting countries to integrate climate metrics into existing health scorecards to help make effects visible and inform national response. 

Bringing equity to the fore: There are clear signs that public financing models are evolving too. CIFF supported the Social Determinants of Health Equity event co-hosted by WHO - a call to action for new development finance innovations to support countries in implementing a health equity agenda.

Trend #2 - Innovation: Better technology and health data systems are key to improving health outcomes at scale

Across multiple panels, conversations and events, the assembly showcased the need for expanding and improving health data infrastructure to enable positive change. 

Filling the data gap: This year's World Health Assembly was a moment to reflect on the use of technology to help solve some data gaps that exist within health systems across the world. From utilising advanced technologies to capitalising on the opportunity for shared innovation, many exciting conversations were had on building and utilising high-quality data to advance health on a national, regional and global scale.

Data was a key part of the second Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing, launched at the assembly. Among its recommendations is the inclusion of young people in the design, delivery and accountability of policies that affect them - including disaggregated, real-time data that accurately reflects their lived realities. 

This misalignment in data and lived reality can be seen with the burden of disease and the budget allocations to Adolescents. Adolescent health and wellbeing makes for only 2.4% of global aid in low- and middle-income countries, despite adolescents being 25% of the global population. This report emphasises the insufficient funding that adolescent health and wellbeing initiatives receive, in part due to data gaps.

The Lancet Commission also found investing in adolescence delivers a triple dividend for governments – when investing in adolescents today, we are investing in our future adults and parents of the next generation of children. This shows the wider knock-on effect of supporting young people and our health systems must be designed with them in mind.

A new tech initiative: The Thrive Fund for health and climate innovations, launched by PATH and the Global Innovation Fund, is aiming to raise $120 million to scale tech solutions and improve climate-health resilience for 100 million people, mobilising $10 in private capital for every dollar invested.  

Trend #3 - Collaboration: The sector must unite to respond to new barriers holding back progress

Two contextual forces emerged in wider WHA discussions as barriers to progress.

Shifting politics: First, a broader social and political shift is making expanding opportunity and choice for women and girls more challenging. Across regions, policymakers and advocates spoke to the increasing complexity of communicating about and securing support for programmes that support women and girls.

Cuts to aid budgets: Second, funding for crucial health interventions is declining, as cuts to overseas aid programmes among donor countries like the US and UK are impacting every part of the development ecosystem.

Despite the challenges, there is good news. Though grappling with funding cuts, the sector is uniting and striving to respond to growing needs and sharing inspiring stories of tangible, positive impact.

• In Uruguay, a model of confidential, community-centred reproductive healthcare has led to a self-care policy that has reduced unsafe abortions and resulting maternal mortality - responsible for 40% of all women’s deaths at the start of the century - by over 63%.

• CIFF is aligning with our Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) policy, advocacy and communications partners, including the Gates Foundation , The Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, The END Fund, Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Speak Up Africa , on adapting investment strategies to the current reality – including proposals to integrate NTDs with other sectors and mobilise domestic and multilateral resources.

With all this in mind - what’s needed now? 

We know that change is possible – but it requires bold, practical action from all of us, now. Together with our partners, we are working towards a world where children are healthy, safe and have equal opportunities – a world that is prosperous and secure for everyone.