Published Feb 02, 2026 | 11:07 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 02, 2026 | 11:07 AM
Healthcare. (iStock)
Synopsis: In 2026, vaccination victories are under renewed threat as measles, meningitis, yellow fever, and other vaccine-preventable diseases are resurging globally. Shortages, overwork, and burnout in health professions have also reached critical levels. Global health in 2026 will be defined by how well the world rises to the interlinked challenges.
As the world progresses beyond the acute crises of the early 2020s, public health authorities are observing a new array of trends shaping the upcoming decade.
Persisting gaps in immunisation, groundbreaking technological advancements, and enduring chronic-disease burdens are intersecting with emerging concerns such as youth mental health and health risks driven by climate change.
This article analyses seven global health priorities for 2026, each supported by the latest data and policy developments. The objective is to inform readers about the challenges and the policy solutions being implemented, while avoiding excessive technical jargon.
Vaccination victories are under renewed threat. In April 2025, the WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi (formerly Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) warned that measles, meningitis, yellow fever, and other vaccine-preventable diseases are resurging globally.
For example, measles cases rose to about 10.3 million in 2023, a 20 percent increase from 2022. Outbreaks have occurred nearly everywhere — 138 countries reported cases last year, including 61 large outbreaks, the worst since 2019.
This resurgence is linked to gaps in Covid-era vaccinations: WHO reports that millions of children are behind on routine immunisations, with around 14.5 million children missing all routine vaccines in 2023, more than half of whom are in countries facing conflict or instability.
These trends have repositioned vaccination policy as a central focus in 2026. Policymakers are currently discussing various measures, including school mandates and the scope of vaccination efforts among adults. Lack of funding, misinformation and a decline in public confidence are significant concerns.
The WHO explicitly identifies “misinformation, population growth, humanitarian crises, and funding cuts” as factors threatening the advancement of immunisation initiatives.
Some nations are even reconsidering their childhood immunisation schedules or incentive programs, sparking vigorous debate. For example, the US CDC controversially revised its recommended vaccine schedule in early 2026, prompting discussions about the necessity of specific doses.
Nonetheless, global experts underscore that maintaining high vaccine coverage remains among the most cost-effective strategies for saving lives, cautioning that lapses in routine immunisation could rapidly erase decades of progress.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is moving rapidly from science fiction to hospital workflows. A 2025 survey of large health systems found that 70 percent are already piloting or using generative AI tools (such as large language models) in some capacity.
The most frequent applications are currently administrative; for instance, 58 percent of organisations use AI for tasks such as medical coding, billing, scheduling, or insurance claims. However, clinical uses are also rapidly increasing. Leading vendors and hospitals are integrating speciality AI products into medical care.
For example, OpenAI recently announced ChatGPT for Healthcare, and several major US hospitals, including Boston Children’s, Cedars-Sinai, and Stanford, are piloting this technology to help physicians synthesise research and compose reports more efficiently.
Additionally, Anthropic’s Claude is being used by an electronic health record company to provide instant summaries of patient histories. Healthcare professionals using this clinical artificial intelligence reported obtaining answers to their inquiries about patient records 61 prcent more quickly than before.
In practice, a doctor or nurse might soon use an AI assistant, either by voice or text, to describe a patient’s case, which then drafts a note or suggests evidence-based treatments.
On the other hand, administrators anticipate even greater benefits: 64 percent of health leaders believe AI could reduce costs through automating routine tasks, and more than half expect significant improvements via predictive staffing and patient-engagement systems. Governments are also paying close attention.
In late 2025, the US Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a comprehensive AI strategy, and the European Union’s AI Act, which will take effect in August 2026, now requires oversight of most healthcare-related AI applications. However, the surge in AI development raises concerns.
Experts frequently warn about “hallucinations”, instances where models confidently produce incorrect medical data and the legal issues these pose. As one IT news analysis noted, AI tools can create a “false sense of diagnostic certainty” while there is “no liability” for mistakes.
Consequently, hospitals need to develop governance frameworks: Who is responsible if an AI’s recommendation leads to adverse outcomes? There is increasing demand for regulations on data privacy, validation standards, and clinical oversight to ensure these advanced tools enhance care without compromising safety.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer continue to be the primary cause of mortality worldwide.
Governments are increasingly considering policy measures beyond clinical treatment to mitigate unhealthy behaviours. This includes the taxation of sugary beverages and alcohol. A recent World Health Organisation (WHO) report (January 2026) explicitly cautions that “sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are becoming more affordable” in most countries and advocates for significantly more substantial taxes on these items.
The report highlights that over 100 nations impose some degree of tax on carbonated soft drinks, although in many instances the tax rate is so modest that it amounts to approximately two percent of the retail price of a typical soft drink.
Additionally, most countries have not adjusted their alcohol taxes to keep up with inflation, making wine and beer cheaper than ever in many regions. The lower taxes persist even though most people surveyed supported higher taxes on alcohol and sugary beverages.
Therefore, the WHO recommends increasing “health taxes” on sugar and alcohol, which could significantly lower obesity, diabetes, and injury rates, while also providing funding for health programs.
Public health experts have long regarded these taxes as a “triple win”; enhancing health, boosting public finances, and reducing future healthcare expenses.
For instance, the NCD Alliance (a global civil society network) highlights that effectively designed taxes on soda and alcohol improve health outcomes and increase revenue.
Progress, however, has been gradual. During negotiations at the 2025 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), advocates’ proposals to impose taxes on sugary beverages were ultimately excluded from the final declaration due to industry influence.
Nevertheless, momentum continues to build: The World Health Organisation has introduced the “3×35″ initiative, which aims to increase the prices of tobacco, alcohol, and soft drinks by at least 35 percent in real terms by the year 2035.
Additionally, a 2022 Gallup poll revealed considerable public support for increased taxation on beverages. In practical terms, some nations have already taken the lead; for example, Mexico’s soda tax, implemented in 2014, and the United Kingdom’s multi-tiered beverage levy, introduced in 2018, demonstrate that targeted levies can influence consumers toward healthier choices.
As 2026 approaches, it is anticipated that discussions within legislative bodies worldwide will increase regarding taxes on “junk food,” including sugary sodas, energy drinks, and beer.
Shortages, overwork, and burnout in health professions have reached critical levels. A WHO analysis finds the global stock of doctors, nurses, and other health workers is now over 70 million. However, there’s a projected shortfall of about 11 million by 2030, overwhelmingly in low- and lower-middle-income countries.
Even richer nations feel the pinch: For example, a survey reports that 40 percent of general practitioners in the UK expect to retire or quit in the next five years. This shortage risks undermining both basic care and epidemic response.
Healthcare leaders know this is their top concern. In one recent global survey of executives, workforce challenges were cited as the number one issue for 2026. Over 90 percent of leaders said improving productivity and staff engagement would be a priority.
Ageing populations and stalled training pipelines mean hospitals worldwide are scrambling to retain staff. Burnout remains rampant after the strains of Covid-19, prompting calls for urgent action on well-being.
Experts advocate several strategies to address this challenge.
International collaboration remains imperative. High-income nations should adhere to the WHO Global Code of Practice on health worker migration and increase investments in training providers in underserved regions.
The WHO emphasises persistent challenges, such as shortages of nurses and the concentration of health workers in urban centres, which may catalyse renewed efforts in 2026 for global programs aimed at recruiting, training, and safeguarding health personnel (eg, the WHO-ILO-OECD “Working for Health” initiative).
Addressing the workforce crisis necessitates adequate funding, innovative solutions, and political dedication. To meet future healthcare demands, healthcare systems must prioritise workforce investments. This encompasses both on-the-job training and professional development, as well as infrastructure and technological advancements.
The pandemic demonstrated that early warning systems and data-sharing initiatives are vital in saving lives. Currently, nations are investing in more sophisticated surveillance technologies and interoperable systems.
A significant advancement is the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) newly developed Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) 2.0 platform, which was launched in October 2025. EIOS employs artificial intelligence to monitor hundreds of thousands of open-source news articles and social media streams daily, seeking indicators of outbreaks.
The upgraded system, now utilised by over 110 countries, incorporates additional sources, including live radio transcripts, and provides a multilingual interface, enabling local health teams to identify events in their native languages.
The objective is for public health officials within ministries and regional networks to detect emerging threats, such as avian flu and mpox, days or even weeks earlier than previously possible. The WHO regards EIOS as “our bridge to the future” of global health collaboration.
On the ground, national public health agencies are also modernising. For example, the US CDC’s new Global Public Health Data Innovation programme (GPHDI) is funding digital upgrades in 10 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
These projects involve constructing data warehouses and analytics platforms, thereby enabling governments to share laboratory results, hospital reports, and vaccination records automatically in near-real time.
The objective is to mitigate reporting delays; instead of transmitting weekly case counts via fax, health departments can stream data directly to dashboards, execute predictive models, and respond promptly. GPHDI underscores the importance of scalable cloud systems and common data standards to ensure secure information exchange across borders and ministries.
In another sign of the times, the WHO and partners are establishing cross-border digital health networks. The EU and WHO announced a collaboration (funded at ~€8M) to expand the Global Digital Health Certification Network in sub-Saharan Africa. These build on the EU’s Covid digital vaccination certificate, enabling countries worldwide to verify each other’s approved vaccine and test credentials.
In practice, this means a person’s yellow fever or Covid vaccine record could be stored securely as a digital token, accessible during travel. Such interoperability has the potential to significantly enhance outbreak responses by providing reliable immunisation data, even in low-resource settings. As the WHO notes, these initiatives aim to create portable, secure health records so displaced families can always carry their medical history with them.
Together, these innovations, AI surveillance, automated data hubs, and interoperable record systems are laying a new foundation for 21st-century public health. The hope is that by 2026, these tools will not only detect threats faster but also guide smarter vaccination campaigns, resource allocation, and emergency responses, especially in the hardest-hit regions.
Even before Covid, mental health issues were a leading cause of illness among youth, a problem that the pandemic has worsened. By 2026, mental health is expected to be a major global concern. WHO/UNICEF data indicate that around 14.3 percent of adolescents (ages 10–19) suffer from conditions like anxiety or depression.
Half of all mental illnesses develop by age 14, highlighting the importance of early intervention. However, mental health services for young people remain limited: WHO states that only 56 percent of countries have a child or youth mental health policy or strategy, and fewer than half offer school- or community-based mental health services for children.
In essence, most nations have yet to establish the systems necessary to support the many young people facing mental health challenges.
UN agencies and advocates have been ringing the alarm. In November 2025, UNESCO, UNICEF, UN Youth, and WHO issued a joint call to strengthen child/youth mental health as a standalone priority.
They point out a disturbing trend: In many places, youth suicide rates are rising, and stigma still prevents most teens from seeking help. Barriers like high costs, long waitlists, and a lack of trained counsellors mean most young people with depression or other disorders never see a mental health professional.
The WHO-led statement emphasises cross-sector solutions: Investing in school counselling programmes, community support networks, and digital mental health tools for youth. For example, some countries are piloting peer-led helplines or AI chatbots to provide immediate support for anxious teens.
The year 2026 may also see more governments adopt national youth mental health strategies and increase funding. Research shows these investments pay off; countries that expanded access to child mental health services saw improvements in school performance, reduced violence, and even long-term gains in economic productivity.
In short, post-pandemic recovery is about more than flu shots and hospital beds — it also means tending to the psychological scars, especially of the young.
Across the globe, health planners will be under pressure to integrate mental wellness into primary care, education, and social programs, so that no child falls through the cracks.
Climate change is no longer a distant threat; its health effects are happening now. The Lancet Countdown’s 2025 report warns that delaying climate action is literally “costing” lives. For example, extreme heat already causes hundreds of thousands of deaths each year, with the global heat-related death toll rising 23 percent since the 1990s to roughly 546,000 annually.
Wildfires are increasing in 2024, and smoke is estimated to have caused 154,000 deaths worldwide due to severe air pollution. Additionally, infectious diseases are shifting due to climate change.
Warmer, wetter environments have expanded mosquito habitats, increasing the global transmission potential for dengue fever by nearly 50 percent since the 1950s. Malaria and tick-borne diseases are now appearing in regions — such as highlands or temperate zones — where they were previously rare.
The strain on health systems is real. WHO reports that in 2023, over 20 million people were displaced by climate-driven disasters (floods, storms, wildfires) — a number projected to exceed 200 million by 2050. Such mass displacements disrupt healthcare, nutrition, and access to clean water, leading to spikes in illness and mortality.
WHO describes climate change as a “risk multiplier”: It aggravates malnutrition (through crop failures), increases vector-borne disease transmission (mosquitoes and rodents), and overloads hospitals during heatwaves or storms.
Low-resource countries feel this most acutely. A drought or hurricane can wipe out a rural clinic or contaminate a water supply, and these countries often have the fewest resources to rebuild or pivot.
On the policy front, 2026 is likely to see more “health and climate” co-investments. For example, many governments are beginning to integrate climate resilience into health planning: building hospitals that can withstand floods, training health workers on heatstroke treatment, and strengthening disease surveillance in vulnerable regions.
The Lancet report also highlights one promising trend: About 70 percent of cities have completed climate risk assessments, often including health risks, and roughly two-thirds of public health and medical schools worldwide now offer some climate-and-health education. Still, current finance is far short of need: adaptation funding for health is minimal, and many national climate plans still barely mention health.
In practical terms, mitigating climate change in 2026 is a massive health intervention. Cutting fossil fuel use not only slows warming, but it also reduces air pollution. The Lancet Countdown estimates over 2.5 million deaths annually from fossil-fuel-related air pollution.
Conversely, continued warming could mean more severe Covid-style pandemics, driven by deforestation, or the surge of new hotspots of dengue, malaria, and cholera. The stakes are huge: public health experts now say that combating climate change could be the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century, if pursued hand in hand with traditional measures, such as universal health coverage, to protect populations.
If 2025 was the year of catch-up and stabilisation, the impatient optimist would hope 2026 would be the year of bold action, while a pessimist views regression on many fronts.
Seven major themes are expected to dominate global health conversations: The comeback of “old” diseases, the promise of cutting-edge tools, and the relentless pressure of chronic and environmental threats. What ties them together is urgency: Each area involves hard choices about funding, policy, and values.
Going into 2026, public health advocates will argue that investing in vaccines and surveillance pays off by averting crises; that smart taxes and regulations can save millions of lives lost to NCDs; and that strengthening health workers’ well-being and mental health care is as crucial as building hospitals.
At the same time, technologists will race to refine AI diagnostics and data platforms, while climate activists will push to integrate health into every discussion of carbon emissions and urban planning.
No single country or organisation can tackle all these issues alone; the good news is that these priorities also create opportunities for international collaboration. For example, a global pathogen surveillance system can be built by sharing data and AI algorithms across borders; a robust youth mental health initiative can be scaled by pooling resources from education, tech, and finance sectors; and a global agreement on health taxes could reinforce local reforms.
These seven areas, backed by the latest evidence, can help us gain a clear sense of what’s at stake. The coming year will test whether lessons from past pandemics and policy research translate into smarter, more equitable health systems.
Watch for progress (or setbacks) in these domains: From how many children get measles shots, to how quickly doctors adopt a new AI tool, to whether a struggling region weathers the next heat wave. Global health in 2026 will be defined by how well the world rises to these interlinked challenges.
(Views are personal. Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
