WHO published its World health statistics report 2025, revealing the deeper health impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on loss of lives, longevity and overall health and well-being. In just two years, between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy fell by 1.8 years—the largest drop in recent history— reversing a decade of health gains.

UNICEF Venture Fund announces a new cohort improving access to quality health care services in emerging economies. The UNICEF Venture Fund invests up to $100,000 in equity-free funding for early-stage startups in emerging economies, developing frontier technology prototypes and open-source licensing to meet the needs of the marginalized and underserved, especially children.

The United States has rejected amendments adopted in 2024 by members of the World Health Organization to its legally binding health rules aimed at improving preparedness for future pandemics following the disjointed global response to COVID-19.

Immunization efforts are under growing threat as misinformation, population growth, humanitarian crises and funding cuts jeopardize progress and leave millions of children, adolescents and adults at risk, warn WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi during World Immunization Week, 24–30 April.