The year 2025 was marked by both remarkable progress and severe challenges in _–global health. According to the World Health Organization, governments and partners achieved historic milestones in eliminating infectious diseases, expanding access to vaccines, and advancing cooperation. Yet these victories unfolded against a backdrop of funding cuts, armed conflicts, and climate shocks that strained health systems worldwide. The mixed picture reveals both the potential of science and solidarity, and the risks of complacency and underinvestment.

Several countries reached historic achievements in disease elimination. The Maldives became the first nation to achieve “triple elimination” of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. Brazil eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV, making it the most populous country in the Americas to reach that goal. Progress was also recorded against neglected tropical diseases: Burundi, Egypt, and Fiji eliminated trachoma; Guinea and Kenya eliminated sleeping sickness; and Niger became the first African country to eliminate river blindness. Since 2010, the number of people needing treatment for neglected tropical diseases has fallen by nearly one-third. Deaths from tuberculosis continued to decline, particularly in Africa and Europe, which recorded reductions of more than 45 percent over the past decade. Still, TB claimed an estimated 1.2 million lives in 2024, showing the persistent risks linked to HIV, undernutrition, and other factors.

Malaria control advanced significantly. Georgia, Suriname, and Timor-Leste were certified malaria-free, while seven African countries introduced malaria vaccines in 2025. Combined with improved mosquito nets and other tools, these efforts helped prevent an estimated 170 million cases and one million deaths in 2024. WHO emphasized that “babies still need to be born, heart attacks still need to be avoided, and diabetes still needs to be treated, even during an emergency.” This statement reflects the importance of maintaining essential services even as crises unfold.

Beyond disease-specific gains, 2025 marked important advances in global health cooperation. Countries adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement and strengthened the International Health Regulations, laying the groundwork for faster and fairer responses to future health emergencies. World leaders also endorsed a historic political declaration on noncommunicable diseases and mental health. New evidence-based guidance was issued covering areas from maternal care and meningitis to diabetes in pregnancy and child-friendly cancer medicines.

WHO’s World Health Statistics 2025 report found that 1.4 billion more people are living healthier lives, driven by reduced tobacco use, cleaner air, and improved water and sanitation. Immunization remained central to these gains. Global vaccination efforts have cut measles deaths by 88 percent since 2000, saving nearly 59 million lives. In 2025, several countries expanded vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), bringing the world closer to eliminating cervical cancer. Yet challenges persist. Twenty million children missed essential vaccines due to conflict, supply disruptions, and misinformation. Maternal and child deaths are also not declining fast enough to meet global targets, highlighting the need for greater investments in primary healthcare and safe childbirth programs.