World Health Day 2026: PAHO/WHO calls for renewed commitment to science to drive better health for all

6 April 2026, Geneva / Washington, DC-- The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) call on people everywhere to renew their commitment to science as the foundation for better health, under the World Health Day 2026 theme: "Together for health. Stand with science." The campaign marks the anniversary of WHO's founding on 7 April, launching a year-long public health campaign.

Human health has been profoundly transformed over the past century, largely due to scientific progress and international collaboration. Global maternal mortality rate has fallen by more than 40% since 2000, and deaths among children under five have been reduced by over 50%. Advances in technology, scientific knowledge and skills continue to turn once-life-threatening health challenges-such as elevated blood pressure, cancer diagnoses or HIV infection-into manageable health issues, extending and improving lives worldwide.

Yet, health threats continue to grow, fuelled by climate impacts, environmental degradation, geopolitical tensions and shifting demographics. These challenges include persistent diseases and strained health systems as well as emerging diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential. Across the globe, thousands of scientists-together with organizations such as WHO and PAHO-are accelerating research and developing policies, tools and innovations needed to protect communities today and safeguard the health of future generations.

"Science is one of humanity's most powerful tools for protecting and improving health," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. "People in every country live longer and healthier lives on average today than their ancestors did, thanks to the power of science. Vaccines, penicillin, germ theory, MRI machines and the mapping of the human genome are just some of the achievements that science has delivered that have saved lives and transformed health for billions of people."

Science behind health progress

Scientific innovations are most powerful when they are widely adopted and used. Every success in improving human health reflects the collective work and collaboration of scientific organizations and communities. For example:

• Before modern anesthesia, surgery meant unimaginable pain. Today, safer drugs, simpler technologies and highly trained specialists allow life-saving operations to be performed while patients sleep comfortably. Scientific progress has helped democratize these advances, making safe surgical care accessible across the world, including in many resource-limited communities.
• Over the past 50 years, global immunization efforts have saved over 154 million children from infectious diseases. Vaccines have contributed to a 40% reduction in infant mortality, with just one vaccine-the measles vaccine-saving nearly 59 million children.
• Progress in early screening technologies is transforming health outcomes. From electronic blood pressure monitors to breast cancer screening through mammography, these tools have become life-saving interventions for millions.

Progress in the Americas

In the Americas, PAHO has stood at the forefront of health and scientific transformation for more than a century. For example:

• The Americas was the first region in the world to eliminate wild poliovirus in 1994. PAHO has also driven the elimination of other vaccine-preventable diseases such as smallpox and rubella, expanding national schedules from 6 to over 16 vaccines.
• Through its Disease Elimination Initiative, PAHO continues to play a central role in efforts to eliminate more than 30 diseases and related conditions by 2030, including malaria, tuberculosis and cervical cancer
• Through its Regional Revolving Funds, PAHO has also transformed access to affordable vaccines and medicines, enabling countries of the region, regardless of income level, to secure high-quality immunizations and treatments. This mechanism has become a model for pooled procurement globally and has strengthened routine immunization systems across Latin America and the Caribbean.
• From outbreaks of Zika to the COVID-19 pandemic, PAHO has coordinated surveillance, laboratory networks, and information-sharing across countries. During COVID-19, it provided technical guidance, supported vaccine rollout, and strengthened health system resilience.
• On 9 April, PAHO will also present its Clinical Trial Accelerator Initiative, which seeks to enhance the efficiency of clinical trials in the Region. Projects will range from conceptual development to the design of artificial intelligence-based solutions.

"Science saves lives," PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, added. "It improves health and wellbeing and strengthens economies." On World Health Day, "the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reaffirms its commitment to working together, collaboratively, to advance science, strengthen trust, and ensure that its benefits reach all people in our Region."

Stand with science for healthier future

In line with the World Health Day 2026 theme, WHO and the G7 Presidency of France are convening a One Health Summit in Lyon, France, from 5-7 April, bringing together Heads of State, scientists and community leaders to strengthen coordinated action.

WHO will host the Global Forum of Collaborating Centres from 7-9 April with representatives from over 800 organizations and more than 80 countries that support WHO's research, technical assistance and capacity building worldwide. These include over 180 PAHO/WHO collaborating centers located in countries of the Region of the Americas.

The PAHO Director will participate in this Forum, including as keynote speaker for an event on reducing infectious risks through the One Health approach.

Science must continue to guide health decision-making at all levels. PAHO/WHO and their partners generate and translate evidence across a wide range of health priorities, from infectious diseases and chronic conditions to mental health, nutrition and environmental risks, supporting countries to deliver effective, equitable care.

Achievements in global health show that when countries unite behind science, they not only respond to crises more effectively but also build stronger, more equitable health systems for the future.