Global road traffic deaths fell 21% since 2011 despite rising vehicle numbers, but crashes still kill 1.16 million people annually, prompting renewed global safety commitments.
WHO
World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28 July to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and liver cancer. This year's theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down,” is a call to remove the barriers that stand between people and the services that can save their lives. Viral hepatitis continues to be a major cause of preventable illness and death worldwide. The 2026 campaign calls for turning proven science into action through stronger political commitment, sustained investment, and efforts to expand equitable access to prevention, testing, treatment, and care.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated guidelines, providing countries with evidence-based recommendations to help prevent or delay the onset of dementia across the life course.
The World Health Organization estimates that 40 million adolescents aged 13–15 worldwide use tobacco. The tobacco and nicotine industries design their products to get young people stuck in a cycle of addiction. The grip of tobacco and nicotine addiction can be broken. This World No Tobacco Day (31 May) let us join together to unmask the appeal and work together for a world free of tobacco addiction.
On 18–23 May, the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland. As the principal decision-making body of the World Health Organization, it plays a vital role in global health governance, addressing pressing health challenges through collaborative action. The WHA serves as a platform for Member States to discuss and vote on critical health issues, set priorities, and coordinate responses to global health threats. It is essential in shaping international health policies and ensuring that health systems are resilient and equitable. Watch the Assembly live. #WHA79
A large proportion of avoidable infections acquired during health care delivery could still be prevented with hand hygiene and infection prevention and control action at the right times. Each year, since 2009, the SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign marked on World Hand Hygiene Day (5 May) aims to progress the goal of maintaining a global profile on the importance of hand hygiene and infection prevention and control in health care and to ‘bring people together’ in support of improvement globally. #handhygiene
Global efforts to curb viral hepatitis are reducing infections and deaths, but progress is too slow to meet 2030 targets, a new World Health Organization (WHO) report warns. Hepatitis B and C, which cause 95% of hepatitis deaths, killed 1.34 million people in 2024, while 1.8 million new infections occurred. Since 2015, new hepatitis B infections fell 32% and hepatitis C deaths 12%, and child hepatitis B prevalence dropped to 0.6%. Yet 287 million people live with chronic infection, most untreated, and transmission persists due to low vaccination, unsafe injections and limited harm reduction. WHO urges faster scale-up of prevention, testing and treatment efforts worldwide.
Every life saved. Every disease prevented. Every child who grows up healthy. It all starts with science. On World Health Day 2026, WHO celebrates the discoveries, the public health research network, and the communities — all standing behind the evidence that protects us all. Because when we stand together, science gives us something no one can take away: a future we can believe in.
Overweight and obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation posing risks to health, are on the rise worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019 an estimated 5 million deaths from noncommunicable diseases were linked to overweight and obesity. Obesity represents one side of the “double burden of malnutrition”, with more obese people than underweight in every region except South-East Asia. Once largely confined to high‑income countries, obesity has now become a major public health concern in many middle‑income nations, as well. Let's act on obesity to ensure a healthy life for all.
The World Health Organisation Academy creates learner-centered, culturally and contextually adapted courses that equip health and care workers, especially in low- and middle-income countries, with the skills and knowledge they need to meet evolving healthcare challenges.
Healthy food in schools is crucial for children’s lifelong dietary habits. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) new guidelines, and with childhood obesity rising and undernutrition persisting, schools play a key role in addressing this double burden. In 2025, 188 million school-aged children were living with obesity. WHO recommends setting standards to promote healthy foods while limiting unhealthy options and implementing nudging interventions to encourage better choices. Effective policies and enforcement are essential, yet only 48 countries have restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods. Prioritizing nutrition in schools is vital for future health and well-being.
PAHO are supporting Guyana’s Ministry of Health to eliminate leprosy by 2030 by strengthening early detection, contact tracing, treatment and stigma reduction, while addressing ongoing transmission highlighted by new pediatric cases through training, surveillance and technical support aligned with the Global Leprosy Strategy.
In PAHO’s virtual reality laboratory, you can explore every room from sample reception to, and interact with the equipment posters and key bio safety elements that represent a resilient laboratory system.
Did you know that you can save three lives in just ten minutes with the gift of your blood? What do countries need to do to have safe blood donation systems ? WHO’s Dr. Yuyun Maryuningsih explains all you need to know to donate blood in Science in 5.
Leaders from around the world meeting at the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly have adopted a political declaration to combat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health challenges through a fully integrated approach. The document is the first such declaration addressing NCDs and mental health together, and marks a unique opportunity to accelerate global progress with a set of specific global targets for 2030. Mental health is increasingly recognized as a universal human right and an essential foundation of human development. Learn more about mental health and how to sustain it.