WHO report confirms world off-track for 2030 health goals
The World Health Organization’s 2026 report reveals that HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria targets are unlikely to be met, while maternal mortality and financial hardship from healthcare costs remain critically high.
The World Health Organization released its 2026 global health statistics report on Wednesday, concluding that the world is unlikely to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for health. The assessment indicates that progress against major infectious diseases is stalling or backsliding, with HIV incidence, tuberculosis cases, and malaria rates failing to decline sufficiently to meet established targets.
Data from the report highlights that while HIV incidence has decreased by 40% since 2010, the 1.3 million new cases recorded in 2024 mean the goal of a 90% reduction by 2030 is out of reach. The situation is similarly concerning for tuberculosis, where cases have fallen by only 12% since 2015, despite a target of an 80% reduction. In the Americas, tuberculosis cases actually increased by 13% during this period.
Malaria presents another significant challenge, with an estimated 282 million cases globally in 2024, representing an 8.5% increase in incidence rates. Drug resistance is a major factor, with resistant forms of the malaria parasite confirmed or suspected in eight African countries, and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes present in nine nations. The report also notes that climate change may be exacerbating the issue by altering mosquito habitats.
Child health indicators are also off-track, with high rates of wasting and overweight children. As of 2024, 42.8 million children were suffering from wasting, and 5.5% were considered overweight, both figures exceeding the 5% threshold set for 2030. Vaccination coverage has stalled globally, with only 76% of children receiving the second dose of the measles vaccine, far below the 95% required to prevent outbreaks. In the Americas, coverage for three of the four core vaccines has dropped below 2015 levels.
Maternal mortality remains critically high, with 712 deaths occurring every day, equating to one woman dying every two minutes. The report states that the mortality rate would need to reduce by almost 15% per year to meet 2030 targets, a scenario deemed unlikely. Additionally, 2.1 billion people face financial hardship due to healthcare costs, with 1.6 billion pushed into poverty. The WHO attributes these setbacks to uneven progress, drug resistance, misinformation, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
