The key health achievements of COP29, and other top health stories
COP29 underscored health as a cross-cutting priority and urged future presidencies to maintain momentum. Image: REUTERS/Aziz Karimov/File Photo
Shyam Bishen
Head, Centre for Health and Healthcare; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum- This global round-up brings you health stories from the past fortnight.
- Top health news: COP29 launches health-climate coalition; WHO rallies partners to end cervical cancer; Global diabetes cases surpass 800 million.
1. COP29 forms coalition for health-climate action
The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan marked a transformative step in aligning global health priorities with climate action, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Key outcomes include:
Launch of the Baku COP Presidencies Continuity Coalition for Climate and Health:
- Signed Letter of Intent uniting Azerbaijan, Brazil, Egypt, the UAE and the UK under a framework co-led with the WHO.
- Aims to sustain progress across COP presidencies and integrate health into climate policies.
Advancing climate-health financing:
- Solidified Guiding Principles for Financing Climate and Health Solutions to drive partnerships and resource mobilization.
- Explored innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, to enhance resilience.
Showcasing success stories:
- Highlighted global initiatives demonstrating effective integration of health and climate strategies.
- Encouraged scaling of best practices through multilateral cooperation.
Strengthening country-level collaboration:
- Renewed focus on expanding in-country partnerships and providing technical support for adaptive health systems.
COP29 underscored health as a cross-cutting priority and urged future presidencies to maintain momentum. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the coalition as a commitment to “prioritize climate and health now and for the future”.
The outcomes set the stage for COP30 and beyond, fostering a global movement towards health-resilient climate policies.
2. United global effort to end cervical cancer
Ahead of the G20 Summit in Brazil on 18-19 November, the WHO and many nations around the world are preparing to mark the Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination, the first-ever coordinated global effort to eradicate a preventable cancer.
Led by the WHO, the initiative highlights progress globally since its 2020 launch, with 144 countries introducing HPV vaccines, 60 implementing HPV testing in screening programmes and 83 including surgical care in health benefits packages.
Host city Rio de Janeiro's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue will glow teal on 17 November, and countries worldwide are hosting events to mark the day. Ethiopia is launching an HPV vaccination campaign for 7 million girls, for example, while Rwanda has committed to reaching the WHO’s 90-70-90 targets by 2027.
The WHO has also introduced new guidance for accessible HPV screening tests, aiming to transform care in underserved regions.
3. News in brief: Health stories from around the world
Global diabetes cases have surpassed 800 million, a fourfold increase since 1990, highlighting the need for urgent action, especially in low- and middle-income countries, according to new WHO-backed data published in The Lancet.
California has reported the first US case of mpox from the Clade I strain, identified by the WHO as part of an outbreak in Africa, and declared a global health emergency earlier this year. The organization has called a meeting on 22 November to discuss whether or not the viral disease remains a global health crisis.
Global antibiotic use has increased by over 21% since 2016, worsening the threat of antimicrobial resistance, linked to nearly five million deaths annually, new research shows.
Food campaigners in England, UK, are calling for a ban on cakes and biscuits in school lunches due to their high sugar content, The Guardian reports. Action on Sugar urges ministers to revise guidelines to eliminate sugary snacks and reduce health risks.
Measles cases worldwide surged to an estimated 10.3 million in 2023, a 20% increase from 2022, due to inadequate immunization. More than 22 million children missed their first vaccine dose, with only 74% receiving the recommended second dose, according to the WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A new experimental drug has been found to significantly lower levels of the genetic form of cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), by up to 86% in a mid-stage trial. The drug is the only oral treatment in a field dominated by injectable therapies, Reuters says.
What is the World Economic Forum doing to improve healthcare systems?
4. More on health from our blog
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The Global Alliance for Women’s Health advocates for centring women’s voices in healthcare to ensure their needs are reflected in global agendas. This article explores how empowering women with better healthcare and education can break poverty cycles and improve societal well-being, while addressing health disparities and ensuring equitable care for all.
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