Nations back creation of post-2030 plan to eliminate tuberculosis
The Assembly today approved a decision asking the Director-General to craft a post-2030 tuberculosis (TB) strategy, working with Member States and relevant stakeholders, which will be presented to the Eighty-first World Health Assembly in 2028.
This new strategy will assist in steering the worldwide TB response going forward, taking into account emerging scientific breakthroughs and present epidemiological patterns. The strategy will bolster strong coordination with primary health care, advancing universal health coverage, and global health security initiatives, in readiness for the 2028 United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB.
The Assembly also reviewed a report on how the current End TB Strategy is being implemented, noting both achievements and obstacles. From 2000 to 2024, expanded care for individuals with TB saved an estimated 83 million lives, and 2024 saw the first post-pandemic drop in TB cases as well as the highest-ever recorded levels of access to essential TB services.
In spite of these advances, TB continues to be a top infectious killer, and global objectives under the End TB Strategy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are still not on track. This is due to persistent underfunding, disruptions caused by the pandemic, inequality, conflict, and climate-related displacement and vulnerability.
Assembly identifies steatotic liver disease as a significant and rising NCD concern
Today, delegates approved a resolution recognizing steatotic liver disease (SLD) as a notable and growing factor in the worldwide burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). SLD, previously called fatty liver disease, impacts an estimated 1.7 billion people globally and is one of the fastest-rising causes of chronic liver disease worldwide.
This condition is strongly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic disorders, while alcohol-related liver disease remains a major contributor to the overall burden. Without effective prevention and care, SLD can advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, placing growing strain on health systems around the world.
The resolution urges Member States to incorporate SLD into national NCD plans, reinforce primary health care approaches, enhance surveillance and awareness, and encourage multisectoral action targeting common NCD risk factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and harmful alcohol use. It also calls for improved access to prevention, screening, diagnosis, and management services, especially for higher-risk groups, including children and adolescents.
The resolution further asks WHO to include SLD in ongoing NCD prevention and control initiatives, offer technical support to countries upon request, strengthen collaboration with relevant partners, and report every two years on progress as part of the broader global NCD agenda.
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Political declaration of the fourth high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being
Countries commit to supporting individuals with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders
Member States at the World Health Assembly today endorsed a resolution recommitting to action on haemophilia and other bleeding disorders, tackling major gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care worldwide. It is estimated that nearly 70% of people living with haemophilia remain undiagnosed.
Haemophilia and other bleeding disorders hinder the body's ability to clot blood properly, causing prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery and, in severe cases, spontaneous bleeding episodes. Without timely diagnosis and appropriate prophylaxis, these conditions can result in serious health complications, disability, and reduced quality of life.
This resolution marks a concrete move toward closing a long-standing equity gap for a community that has often been neglected in global health policy. It offers comprehensive recognition for haemophilia, von Willebrand Disease, and other rare clotting factor deficiencies.
Through the resolution, Member States pledged to enhance access to treatment and care for individuals with bleeding disorders worldwide. Countries also committed to integrating bleeding disorder management into their national policies on NCDs, primary health care, and maternal health, as well as strengthening diagnostic capacity and ensuring timely referral to specialized treatment centers.
The resolution further encourages the inclusion of life-saving therapies, including factor concentrates and novel non-factor therapies, in national Essential Medicines Lists. Member States are also urged to improve national data collection and promote awareness to help reduce stigma and enhance understanding of bleeding disorders.
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Political declaration of the fourth high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being
Global leaders join forces to combat health mis- and disinformation and restore trust in science
The Assembly held a Strategic Roundtable session today on health mis- and disinformation, bringing together a varied and high-level group of leaders from governments, international organizations, the scientific community, civil society, youth, the private sector, and the media.
The event highlighted the urgency and global significance of the issue, revealing a strong consensus that mis- and disinformation are "not just a communication challenge" but a growing public health threat that undermines the delivery of effective health interventions. Across perspectives, participants stressed the need for multisectoral collaboration and sustained investment in resilient information ecosystems. They also emphasized the critical role of WHO in convening partners and providing normative guidance.
Participants shared practical experiences and country-level strategies to strengthen information integrity, including whole-of-government approaches, community engagement, and transparent communication to build trust. Speakers underscored the importance of empowering health workers and trusted community voices as frontline responders to mis- and disinformation, as well as leveraging scientific networks to ensure the timely and credible dissemination of evidence.
Looking ahead, key priorities include investing in the quality of health information, moving beyond reactive correction of misinformation toward proactive engagement, and strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders such as technology platforms and end-user communities.
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