WHA 2025: Daily Update – May 26th

A healthier World on teh Horizon: Global Resolutions Chart a Course for Change

Imagine a world where children aren’t poisoned by lead in their own homes, where traditional medicine is both respected and rigorously tested, and where the unthinkable – nuclear war – is actively prevented. This isn’t a utopian dream; it’s the direction world leaders are steering us,one resolution at a time.

Lead-free Future: A Victory for Public Health

the silent killer lurking in old paint, contaminated water pipes, and even some imported toys is finally facing a global reckoning. member states have approved a landmark resolution to tackle lead exposure, a move that could save millions of lives and prevent countless cases of developmental delays, particularly in children.

The American Angle:

In the U.S., the focus is shifting from awareness to action. Cities like Flint,michigan,serve as stark reminders of the devastating consequences of lead contamination. This global resolution could spur further investment in infrastructure upgrades and stricter regulations on imported goods,protecting American families from this preventable threat.

Did you know? Lead exposure contributes to over 9 million premature deaths globally each year.That’s one in six deaths worldwide!

The resolution emphasizes integrating health considerations into environmental policies and improving waste management. This means holding companies accountable for the lifecycle of their products and investing in safer alternatives.

The WHO will translate Resolution EB156(32) into a Global action plan on lead mitigation and continue providing technical assistance and guidance in strengthening health sector leadership.

Traditional Medicine gets a Modern Makeover

For centuries, cultures around the world have relied on traditional medicine. Now, the World Health assembly is taking steps to integrate these practices into mainstream healthcare, but with a crucial emphasis on evidence-based practices and safety.

Balancing Tradition and Science:

The new WHO global traditional medicine strategy for 2025-2034 aims to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern science. This means rigorous testing, standardized practices, and qualified practitioners. Think of it as bringing the best of both worlds together.

The strategy explicitly recognizes the role of traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples while upholding their rights, promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.

Expert Tip: Look for healthcare providers who are certified in both traditional and conventional medicine. This ensures you’re receiving safe and effective care.

WHO will assist Member States in strengthening the evidence base for TCIM, bolstering safety, quality and effectiveness, and, where appropriate, facilitating its integration into health systems while optimizing cross-sector collaboration.

World Prematurity Day: A Global Call to Action

every year, millions of babies are born too soon, facing a lifetime of potential health challenges. The endorsement of World Prematurity Day as an official WHO health campaign is a significant step towards raising awareness and improving care for these vulnerable infants.

Investing in Our Future:

The resolution calls on countries to invest in proven interventions like special newborn care units and kangaroo mother care. These simple yet effective techniques can dramatically improve outcomes for premature babies.

Related complications, which include difficulties breathing as well as infections and hypothermia, are the leading cause of death amongst children aged under 5 years.

The campaign was approved as part of discussions on the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016-2030), and is aligned with last year’s Resolution to accelerate progress in improving maternal, newborn, and child survival.

The Unthinkable: Addressing the Health Impacts of Nuclear War

In a world grappling with geopolitical tensions, the threat of nuclear war looms large. Countries have agreed on a resolution to address the devastating health impacts of such a catastrophe, a stark reminder of the stakes involved.

Prevention is the Only Cure:

the resolution requests the WHO Director-General to update earlier reports on nuclear war’s impacts on health and health systems, cooperate with relevant stakeholders and UN bodies, and report back to the World Health Assembly by 2029.

The new Resolution requests the WHO Director-General to update earlier reports on nuclear war’s impacts on health and health systems, cooperate with relevant stakeholders and UN bodies, and report back to the world Health Assembly by 2029.

It also encourages Member States to support this work, in line with their national contexts and legal frameworks, recognizing that preventing nuclear war is essential for global health, security, and the survival of humanity.

Fighting Fake Medicine: A Global Health Security Imperative

Substandard and falsified medical products pose a serious threat to global health,undermining trust in healthcare systems and endangering lives. The decision to review the report on this issue in 2026 underscores the urgency of addressing this problem.

The Cost of Counterfeits:

With an estimated 1 in 10 medicines in low- and middle-income countries being substandard or falsified,and economic losses ranging from US$ 75 to 200 billion annually,the stakes are high.

SF incidents nearly tripled between 2019 and 2023, exacerbated by online distribution, weak regulatory oversight and surveillance, and humanitarian crises.

WHO reiterated its full commitment to reinforcing the mechanism as a cornerstone of global health security, calling on continued engagement from governments, pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, donors and civil society.

Flags of Non-Member Observer States

Delegates decided that “the flags of non-Member Observer States at the United Nations shall be raised at the World Health Organization… and does not constitute Member State status in the World Health Organization.”

The discussion focused specifically on having the Palestinian flag raised at WHO, as a non-Member Observer State, and cited UN resolution 20.15 as a basis for the flag to be raised there.

Considering the withdrawal of a Member State

There was a request for the Executive board, at its meeting in January 2026, to consider the withdrawal of Argentina and to submit a report thereon to the Seventy-ninth World Health assembly.

Global Health Resolutions: An Expert’s Take on a healthier Future

Time.news sits down with Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading public health expert, to discuss recent global resolutions aimed at improving health outcomes worldwide.

time.news: Dr. Sharma, thank you for joining us. Recently, several significant global health resolutions have been passed. what do you see as the overarching theme connecting these initiatives?

Dr.Anya Sharma: It’s a pleasure to be here. the uniting factor is a proactive, multifaceted approach to global health challenges. These resolutions aren’t just about treating illness; they’re about prevention, integration, and addressing underlying systemic issues. We’re seeing a shift towards recognizing the interconnectedness of public health, environmental policy, and even global security.

Time.news: Let’s dive into specifics. The resolution on lead exposure seems particularly impactful. What are the key aspects of this initiative,and how can it affect developed nations like the U.S.?

Dr. Anya Sharma: Absolutely. Lead exposure is a pervasive problem, contributing to over 9 million premature deaths annually. This resolution seeks to tackle lead at it’s source – old paint, contaminated water pipes, imported goods. for the U.S., it means a renewed focus on infrastructure upgrades, particularly in areas like Flint, Michigan, which have already suffered greatly. It also necessitates stricter regulations on imported products to prevent lead-contaminated goods from reaching American families. The emphasis on integrating health considerations into environmental policies is also crucial, pushing companies to be accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products and to invest in safer alternatives.

Time.news: Turning to customary medicine, what’s the importance of the new WHO global traditional medicine strategy for 2025-2034?

Dr. Anya Sharma: Traditional medicine has been a cornerstone of healthcare for centuries in many cultures. this strategy acknowledges that valuable history but also stresses the importance of validating these practices through rigorous scientific testing and standardization. It’s about finding a balance – preserving traditional knowledge, particularly that of indigenous peoples, while ensuring safety and efficacy.Readers should look for healthcare providers certified in both traditional and conventional medicine, guaranteeing safe and effective care.

Time.news: World Prematurity Day is now an official WHO health campaign. Why is this so critically important?

Dr. Anya sharma: Premature birth is a leading cause of death in children under five. Officially recognizing World Prematurity Day allows for greater awareness and resources to be directed towards proven interventions. Things like special newborn care units and kangaroo mother care are incredibly effective in improving outcomes for premature babies. It’s a call to action for countries to invest in these life-saving measures.

Time.news: A particularly sobering resolution addresses the health impacts of nuclear war. Can you elaborate on the significance of this resolution?

Dr.Anya Sharma: It’s a stark reminder of the unimaginable consequences of nuclear conflict. This resolution tasks the WHO Director-General with updating previous reports on the health impacts of nuclear war and collaborating with relevant UN bodies. The ultimate message is clear: preventing nuclear war is essential for global health, security, and the very survival of humanity.

Time.news: Substandard and falsified medical products are also a major concern.How is the WHO addressing this issue?

Dr.Anya Sharma: The prevalence of fake medicine is a serious global health security issue. It erodes trust in healthcare systems and endangers lives. The WHO is committed to strengthening mechanisms to combat this, including reinforcing regulatory oversight and surveillance of online distribution channels. Readers must remain vigilant and obtain medications only from reputable sources.

Time.news: delegates discussed the flags of non-Member Observer States and the potential withdrawal of Argentina. How do these points relate to Global Health?

Dr.Anya Sharma: These matter because they reflect the political landscape that influences global health initiatives.The flag discussion shows WHO’s position as a platform for political discussion and depiction. The Argentina point is critically important as cooperation and collaboration are vital to solving health issues and a potential withdrawal could complicate the WHO’s efforts.

Time.news: Dr. Sharma, thank you for providing your insights on these crucial global health resolutions.