New WHO Report: Alarming Statistics Reveal Slowing Progress in Global Health Gains

The WHO’s World Health Statistics 2025 report reveals some troubling trends about health worldwide, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy dropped by 1.8 years, marking the largest decline in recent history. This setback wiped out a decade of health improvements.

Increased anxiety and depression linked to COVID-19 shortened global healthy life expectancy by six weeks. While many lives were saved thanks to improvements in treating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), these gains were largely reversed. The report emphasizes that the overall health progress is stalling, and urgent action is needed to prevent further loss.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, highlighted the human cost behind the statistics. Each number represents a life lost—children who didn’t reach adulthood or mothers who died during childbirth. The issues, he noted, stem from gaps in access and investment in healthcare, particularly affecting women and girls.

Despite these setbacks, some positive developments are reported. By the end of 2024, an estimated 1.4 billion more people were living healthier lives, surpassing the WHO’s target of 1 billion. Improvements in reducing tobacco use, air quality, and access to clean water contributed to this growth. However, coverage for essential health services is lagging. Access to these services has only increased by 431 million, and only 637 million additional people are now better protected from health emergencies.

Unfortunately, the decline in maternal and child health continues. Although maternal deaths fell by over 40% and child deaths under five years more than halved between 2000 and 2023, progress has stalled. Experts warn that without immediate action, we could face an additional 700,000 maternal deaths and 8 million deaths of children under five by 2030.

NCDs, including heart disease and diabetes, are now the leading cause of premature death for people under 70. The global community is currently off track to meet the goal of reducing premature mortality from NCDs by a third by 2030. Yet, there have been some victories: tobacco use is declining and alcohol consumption dropped significantly from 2010 to 2022.

The challenge is compounded by a shortage of healthcare workers, with a projected gap of 11.1 million by 2030, affecting particularly the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions. As Dr. Haidong Wang from WHO stated, reliable health data is crucial for effective health systems. WHO is working to enhance health information systems to drive better health outcomes.

On the infectious disease front, while HIV and tuberculosis rates are decreasing, malaria is on the rise again. Childhood vaccination rates are still not back to where they were before the pandemic, and other foundational health issues like malnutrition continue to hinder progress.

Recent cuts in international aid could jeopardize gains, particularly in vulnerable nations. To achieve a healthier future, both domestic and international financing are critical.

In summary, the World Health Statistics 2025 report highlights the need for immediate action to address health disparities, a commitment to investing in healthcare, and an enhanced focus on data quality to improve health outcomes globally. As Dr. Samira Asma, a WHO official, pointed out, while the report indicates a failing health checkup for the world, it shows that progress is possible when countries unite for health improvements.

For more insights, you can check the World Health Organization’s report.

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