“Together for health. Stand with science.” on the occasion of World Health Day

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on people everywhere to renew their commitment to working together and supporting science as the two engines that drive better health, under the theme of World Health Day 2026: “Together for Health. Stand with Science.” The campaign marks the anniversary of the founding of the WHO on April 7, 1948, which marked the beginning of a one-year public health campaign.

Human health has changed profoundly over the past century, largely thanks to scientific progress and international cooperation. The global maternal mortality rate has fallen by more than 40% since 2000, and under-five mortality has fallen by more than 50%. Advances in technology, scientific knowledge and skills, and collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and countries continue to transform once life-threatening health challenges—such as high blood pressure, a cancer diagnosis, or HIV infection—into manageable health problems, extending and improving lives around the world.

However, health threats continue to grow, driven by climate impacts, environmental degradation, geopolitical tensions and demographic changes. These challenges include persistent diseases and strained health systems, as well as emerging diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential. Around the world, thousands of scientists – together with organizations like WHO – are accelerating research and developing the policies, tools and innovations needed to protect today’s communities and preserve 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 today, on average, live longer and healthier lives than their ancestors did, thanks to the power of science. Vaccines, penicillin, the germ theory, MRI machines and the mapping of the human genome are just some of the achievements of science that have saved the lives and changed the health of billions of people.”

The science behind health advances

Scientific innovations are most powerful when they are widely accepted and used. Any success in improving human health reflects the joint work and cooperation of scientific organizations, policy makers, health professionals and the public. For example:

• before modern anesthesia, surgery meant unimaginable pain. Today, safer drugs, affordable technologies and trained professionals make it possible to perform life-saving surgeries while patients sleep comfortably. Scientific advances have helped democratize this progress, making safe surgical care available worldwide, 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 one vaccine alone – the measles vaccine – saving over 90 million children; and
• advances in early screening technologies are changing health outcomes. From electronic blood pressure monitors to breast cancer screening and mammograms, these tools have become life-saving interventions for millions.

During 78 years of bringing together global scientific organizations, WHO has been at the forefront of global health and scientific transformation. For example:

• during the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, WHO coordinated a global network of laboratories that shared real-time data. This collaboration enabled the rapid identification of the virus causing SARS within two weeks, setting a global model for outbreak detection and response that continues today;
• In 2009, WHO developed alcohol-based hand rub formulations and promoted their global use in healthcare facilities. This innovation, along with related infection prevention strategies, is helping to protect millions of patients and healthcare workers around the world from infections and complications, including during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
• WHO continuously identifies new challenges to human health, bringing together leading scientists and policy makers to develop norms and standards that protect communities. For example, the World Health Organization’s global air quality guidelines define the levels of air quality needed to protect health from risks such as respiratory infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. WHO drinking water standards ensure that the water from our taps is safe, helping to prevent diarrheal diseases, including deadly ones like cholera.

Be with science for a healthier future

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

From 7 to 9 April, WHO will host the Global Forum of its Network of Collaborating Centers with representatives from over 800 academic and research institutions from more than 80 countries. These centers support WHO’s research, technical assistance and capacity-building work around the world.

“Science transforms uncertainty into understanding and reveals ways to protect and heal our communities,” said Dr. Sylvie Briand, WHO’s Chief Scientist. “Without the clarity of rigorous scientific research, we risk being guided by biases and misconceptions – and too often towards treatments that fail us or even put us at risk. Today we must stand together with science so that our collaboration is sustained, supported and improved for better health for generations to come.”

WHO emphasizes that science must continue to guide health decision-making at all levels. WHO and its 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 and equitable care.

Achievements in global health show that when countries unite behind science, they not only respond more effectively to crises, but also build stronger, more equitable health systems for the future. WHO calls on governments, institutions and individuals to continue to support and collaborate on science and ensure that evidence-based approaches guide health policies and everyday decisions.