Global Health Milestone: WHO Reports Billions Gaining Access to Better Care, Protection

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its 2024–2025 Mid-Term Results Report, revealing unprecedented progress in global health, despite mounting economic and health challenges.

The report highlights concrete gains in universal health coverage, health security, and healthier living conditions, while also outlining critical gaps that must be addressed to reach global health targets.

According to the report, 431 million more people worldwide are expected to be covered by essential health services without suffering catastrophic financial costs.

Additionally, 637 million individuals are better protected against health emergencies, thanks to strengthened preparedness systems, surveillance, workforce capacity, and improved access to life-saving tools and services.

The report also confirms that 1.4 billion more people are living healthier lives, benefiting from advances in tobacco control, air quality, clean household energy, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

The WHO attributes these improvements to the combined efforts of Member States, global partners, and the organisation’s workforce in over 150 countries and territories.

The gains are built on a foundation of equity, multisectoral collaboration, investments in health systems and information infrastructure, and a push for more sustainable financing models.

Yet, WHO acknowledges that sustaining and accelerating this momentum will require renewed commitment and greater financial investment.

The report warns that the increasingly constrained global financial environment could jeopardise future progress if resources do not match the ambition of WHO’s mission.

In his foreword to the report, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remarked, “Despite growing global pressures on health systems, countries continue to advance towards universal health coverage, stronger health security, and healthier populations supported by WHO’s work in over 150 countries, territories and area."

He further stated, “The data show that real progress is possible when we work together. An estimated 431 million more people are now covered by essential health services without suffering catastrophic financial costs.”

Recognising the challenges ahead, Dr. Tedros emphasised, “Sustaining and accelerating results will require renewed commitment and investment. WHO’s capacity to deliver high-impact support will depend on securing the resources needed to match the ambition of our mission.”

As part of its roadmap to 2030, WHO has welcomed the decision by Member States to increase assessed contributions to 50% of its core budget by the 2030–2031 biennium an essential move to strengthen the organisation’s operational capacity and global health impact.

According to the report, 431 million more people worldwide are expected to be covered by essential health services without suffering catastrophic financial costs