Oluwatobi Adu 
GENEVA, Switzerland – The World Health Organization calls for renewed global unity and trust in science as it marks World Health Day 2026, warning of increasingly complex health threats.
The campaign, themed “Together for health. Stand with science,” launches a year-long push to strengthen collaboration and evidence-based policymaking.
“Science is one of humanity’s most powerful tools for protecting and improving health,” says WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
WHO notes that scientific advances have reduced maternal mortality by over 40 percent since 2000 and cut under-five deaths by more than half.
Breakthroughs in vaccines, treatments and diagnostics have transformed once-deadly diseases into manageable conditions.
However, the organisation warns that climate change, environmental degradation and geopolitical tensions are creating new health risks.
Emerging diseases and fragile health systems continue to threaten global stability, it adds.
WHO highlights the success of immunisation programmes, which have saved more than 154 million children, alongside innovations such as MRI technology and genome mapping.
The agency reiterates its commitment to ensuring science guides policy decisions and strengthens health systems worldwide.
Experts say sustained investment in research and global cooperation will be critical to addressing future pandemics and improving health equity.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
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