Global Commitment to Prevent Future Pandemics
In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO Member States have concluded intensive negotiations to boost global capacities for future pandemics. The nations will now submit the outcomes of the discussions for consideration by the upcoming World Health Assembly.
Challenges in Vaccine Inequity
Despite the scientific achievement of developing multiple vaccines in record time, access to these life-saving doses remains vastly unequal across the globe, deepening the disparities in health outcomes between wealthy and low-income nations.
Building Collective Defenses
Two parallel negotiation processes were undertaken to make amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) and to develop a first-ever pandemic agreement, convention, or other legal instrument. Precious Matsoso, co-chair of South Africa, emphasized the importance of continuous commitment and action from all parties to build the world’s collective defenses.
Impact on Global Life Expectancy
The COVID-19 pandemic has undone nearly a decade of progress in global life expectancy, according to the latest edition of the World Health Statistics released by the World Health Organization. Life expectancy at birth dropped by 1.8 years to 71.4 years, reverting to levels last seen in 2012. Healthy life expectancy (HALE) also decreased by 1.5 years to 61.9 years.
Regional Disparities
The Americas and South-East Asia saw the most declines in life expectancy, while the Western Pacific Region experienced minimal impact. COVID-19 quickly became a leading cause of death worldwide, resulting in nearly 13 million deaths over two years.
