WHO's World Health Statistics 2026 report found that improvements in health were uneven and insufficient to meet the health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Released on 13 May, the assessment recorded substantial advances, including a 40 percent fall in new HIV infections between 2010 and 2024, alongside persistent gaps in prevention and access to care.
Progress towards universal health coverage has slowed, while household medical bills continue to create financial hardship. The report also identified setbacks in malaria and continuing risks affecting women and children. WHO called for stronger health systems and better data to direct resources towards underserved communities. The findings concern different reporting periods, rather than a single worldwide snapshot of conditions in May 2026.