Rising anger over one-sided US health funding pacts with African countries
27/2/2026: At least 17 African countries have signed bilateral agreements with the current US administration, collectively securing $11.3bn in health aid. But there is growing outrage at US demands to share biological resources and patient data, and other conditions.
Source: The Guardian
Cholera prevention campaigns resume after years of vaccine scarcity
16/2/2026: Cholera vaccination campaigns are restarting after a three-year-long pause, thanks to efforts by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, doubling supplies from about 35 million doses in 2022 to more than 70 million by 2025. However, Gavi has been hit by declines in global health funding which may impact capacity for cholera prevention.
Source: Devex
World Health Organization statement on US withdrawal
24/1/2026: The WHO regrets the US withdrawal of its membership, observing that this decision makes both the US and the rest of the world less safe. The agency also responds to critical statements from the US government.
Source: World Health Organization
US Congress backs Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
13/1/2026: The US Senate and House of Representatives have included funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in their foreign assistance appropriations bill. This is a welcome development for the global health community, given that about six months ago, the Trump administration said it would cut all funding for the organization.
Source: Devex
Most countries make progress towards universal health coverage
6/12/2025: The UHC Global Monitoring Report 2025 reveals that an estimated 4.6 billion people worldwide still lack access to essential health services and 2.1 billion people experience financial hardship to access health care. This annual report monitors the Sustainable Development Goal that everyone, everywhere can access the care they need without financial hardship by 2030. Despite positive direction, the global progress rate has slowed since 2015 and persistent gaps and inequalities are on the rise.
Source: World Health Organization
Malaria progress under threat as drug resistance rises
4/12/2025: The World Health Organization's annual World Malaria Report reveals that, despite progress in the use of vaccines, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610 000 deaths in 2024 – roughly 9 million more cases than in 2023. An estimated 95% of these deaths were in the WHO African Region, with most occurring among children under 5.
Source: World Health Organization
Child deaths projected to rise for the first time this century
4/12/2025: The number of children dying before their 5th birthday is projected to rise, reversing decades of global progress, according to new data published in the Gates Foundation’s 2025 Goalkeepers Report. At the same time, global development assistance for health fell sharply this year—26.9% below 2024 levels.
Source: Gates Foundation
Measles deaths down 88% since 2000, but cases surge
28/11/2025: Nearly 59 million lives have been saved by the measles vaccine since 2000. Despite fewer deaths, measles cases are surging worldwide, even in high-income countries that once eliminated it. There were an estimated 11 million infections in 2024, nearly 800 000 more than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Source: World Health Organization
Egypt triumphs over centuries-old fight against trachoma
28/11/2025: After over 3,000 years of battling the world’s leading infectious cause of avoidable blindness, Egypt has successfully eliminated the disease. While 30 countries are still considered endemic for trachoma, Egypt’s achievement offers hope to the 100 million people still at risk around the world.
Source: Devex
UNAIDS warns of massive disruptions to HIV prevention
25/11/2025: The global response to HIV has suffered its most significant setback in decades, especially in low- and middle-income countries, warns a new UNAIDS report. The funding crisis has combined with a deteriorating global human rights environment, with particularly severe consequences for marginalized populations.
Source: UNAIDS