World Health Organization Warns Global Health Progress Is Slowing — Urgent Action Needed

In its latest “World Health Statistics 2025” report, the WHO revealed that global life expectancy fell by 1.8 years between 2019 and 2021—the largest drop in recent history. While some gains were made (approximately 1.4 billion more healthy-life years by end of 2024), progress on essential health services and protection from emergencies has lagged. Only 431 million more people gained access to essential health services without financial hardship, and about 637 million more improved protection from emergencies.

The report highlights several worrying trends: maternal and child deaths are not falling fast enough; non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer are now major drivers of mortality under age 70. The WHO warns that without urgent investment and reforms, millions of lives are at risk.
Why it matters:

Global health gains achieved over decades risk being reversed.

Low- and middle-income countries (including Uganda) are particularly vulnerable, due to weaker health system resilience.

For readers: health is foundational to development, productivity and urban resilience.