World Health Day 2026: Together for health. Stand with science

Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia

Across the WHO South-East Asia Region, health threats are becoming more complex and interconnected, driven by the spillover of zoonotic pathogens, climate change, environmental pollutants, and the growing burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These challenges reflect the close links between human, animal, and environmental health-underscoring the importance of a One Health approach. At the same time, misinformation and declining trust in science are placing pressure on the very foundations of evidence-based public health decisions and action.

This year, World Health Day 2026, under the theme "Together for health. Stand with science", reminds the world that science is the foundation of health, and must be placed at the centre of policies, preparedness, and public health action. Science must be translated into practical action that protects lives.

This commitment is not new. It is rooted in WHO's founding principles, which emphasize the importance of ensuring that scientific knowledge reaches people, and that it is trusted and acted upon.

The One Health approach is central to this effort, not as an abstract concept but as a practical necessity. It recognizes that people's health is inseparable from the health of animals, plants, and ecosystems. Addressing risks such as zoonotic diseases, AMR, and the health impacts of climate change requires coordinated action across sectors, bringing together governments, scientists, clinicians, veterinarians, ecologists, and communities.

Across the region, countries are already putting this into practice. In Bangladesh, integrated dengue surveillance is strengthening outbreak prediction and response. Sri Lanka and Bhutan have advanced zoonotic disease prioritization and joint risk assessment, improving coordination across sectors. In India, digital surveillance and early warning systems are expanding, while in Thailand, strong political commitment and a whole-of-government approach have enabled earlier detection and response to emerging threats.

At the global level, the Quadripartite organizations (FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH) have developed a comprehensive One Health Joint Plan of Action. The upcoming Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting will mark the transition of the Global Quadripartite Secretariat chairmanship from FAO to WHO, and will showcase the role of the WHO Academy and WHO's work at the country, regional, and global levels in advancing science and partnership.

As we mark the founding of the World Health Organization, we reaffirm that science is a global public good. Together for health, we must stand with science by safeguarding its integrity, expanding equitable access to knowledge, and promoting the power of scientific collaboration to protect the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet.

On World Health Day, WHO calls on:

• Governments and institutions to invest in science-based policies and One Health approaches
• Scientists and researchers to generate and share actionable evidence
• Health workers to champion science and deliver evidence-based care; and
• Communities to seek trusted information and adopt protective behaviours

By choosing evidence, strengthening trust, and standing with science-and with one another-we can protect lives today, and build a healthier, and more resilient future for all.