The World Health Organization (WHO) Results Report 2023, showcases achievement of key public health milestones, even amid greater global humanitarian health needs driven by conflict, climate change and disease outbreaks.
The report shows advancements in several key areas, including healthier populations, universal health coverage (UHC), and health emergencies protection. It is released ahead of the 2024 Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly, which runs 27 May to 1 June 2024. The report is the most comprehensive to date.
With 96% of WHO country offices providing 174 country reports on achievements, the report shows progress towards 46 targets and highlights challenges.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said, “The world is off track to reach most of the triple billion targets and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals, however, with concrete and concerted action to accelerate progress, we could still achieve a substantial subset of them. Our goal is to invest even more resources where they matter most—at the country level—while ensuring sustainable and flexible financing to support our mission.”
The report acknowledges significant disparities in health outcomes, disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that persistent health workforce shortages require investments in education and employment.
Key Achievement
- A successful rollout of the first malaria vaccine in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, along with WHO’s prequalification of a second one, promises a significant boost in controlling the disease.
- Progress against neglected tropical diseases continues, with 14 countries eliminating at least one in 2022-2023.
- First-ever all-oral regimens for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases lead to record numbers receiving treatment.
- Over 75% of people living with HIV are on treatment, achieving viral suppression and preventing transmission. WHO’s support empowers countries like Botswana.
- 25 countries have introduced the human papillomavirus vaccine to eliminate cervical cancer, bringing the total to 58 since WHO launched the initiative in 2020.
With over 1 billion more people having access to universal health coverage thanks to the WHO Triple Billion targets, WHO has decided to work with existing and new donors and other partners through an inclusive engagement process. This process will culminate in a high-level financing event to be held in the fourth quarter of 2024.
