The World Health Organisation has warned of slowing global health progress, stating that the “world is failing its health check-up”.

In its World Health Statistics Report 2025, published on Thursday, WHO highlighted deep health impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, including reduced life expectancy and well-being.

Between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy fell by 1.8 years—the sharpest drop in recent history—mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Behind every data point is a person—a child who died young, a mother lost in childbirth, or a life ended by preventable illness,” said WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus.

He warned that progress is at risk and urged governments to act urgently and accountability to protect their populations.

Mr Ghebreyesus lamented the “avoidable tragedies” that lie behind these statistics, calling for renewed global commitment to health.

Despite setbacks, the report shows 1.4 billion more people lived healthier lives by 2024, exceeding WHO’s “one billion” goal.

WHO attributes this to declines in tobacco use, improved air quality, and better access to water, hygiene, and sanitation.

However, underinvestment in primary care, health worker shortages, and service gaps, like immunisation, are hindering further progress.

Premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, are rising due to ageing populations and growth.

These diseases are now the leading causes of death for people under 70, according to the WHO.

“Air pollution continues to harm population health around the world,” added WHO’s Haidong Wang.

From 2000 to 2023, maternal deaths fell by over 40 per cent, and child deaths under five were halved.

“Yet progress is slowing or reversing in many countries, and these deaths are not decreasing fast enough,” Wang said.

WHO data shows essential health services and emergency protections are lagging globally.

Without urgent action, the WHO warns that between 2024 and 2030, 700,000 maternal and eight million child deaths could occur unnecessarily. 

(NAN)