WHO Backs Lead-Free Future, ⁢Traditional Medicine Strategy, and More

Updated May 27, 2025

World Health ⁣Institution (WHO) member states have committed to several key initiatives, including ⁢a⁤ landmark resolution for a lead-free future, a new global traditional medicine strategy, and actions addressing the health ⁤impacts of nuclear‍ war. Thes decisions, among others, were recently approved, signaling a unified approach to global health challenges.

Recognizing that exposure to hazardous chemicals and pollution contributes to over 9 million premature deaths annually, member states are urged to reduce ⁤exposures to dangerous substances ⁢like lead and mercury. This includes integrating health‍ considerations into environmental policies and improving waste management systems to combat⁤ plastics and e-waste pollution. The WHO will translate Resolution EB156(32) into a global action plan on lead mitigation, offering technical assistance to strengthen health sector leadership and protect communities from preventable health‍ risks due to hazardous chemicals,⁢ waste, and pollution. This decisive action aims to address environmental factors and ⁢advance health equity.

In‍ the realm of traditional medicine, the WHO will assist member states ⁣in strengthening ⁢the evidence base for Traditional, Complementary and Integrative ⁤Medicine (TCIM), bolstering safety, quality, and effectiveness, and facilitating its integration into health systems where appropriate. The new strategy explicitly recognizes the role of traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples, upholding thier rights while promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation in the context of TCIM. ‍Implementation ⁤and monitoring of the strategy⁢ are key elements, with the WHO providing guidance ⁤and technical assistance as needed to⁤ unlock the full potential of TCIM ⁢to improve global health and well-being.

Acknowledging the urgent need for action on preterm births, member states agreed to announce world Prematurity Day as an official WHO health campaign. Preterm⁤ births, defined as those occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy, lead to complications that are the leading cause of death among children under 5. ‍The resolution calls on countries to invest in interventions like special newborn care units and family support to improve outcomes for babies born early.

Member⁢ states also addressed the health impacts of nuclear war, with ‍a resolution proposed by several countries emphasizing the serious health risks posed by nuclear weapons. The resolution requests the WHO Director-General to update earlier reports on nuclear war’s impacts on health and health systems, cooperate with relevant stakeholders, and report back to the World Health Assembly by 2029.

Regarding⁤ substandard and falsified medical products, countries approved⁤ a‍ decision ⁢to provide additional time to finalize the report of the fourteenth meeting of the Member state mechanism (msm). The final⁤ report will now be submitted to the Seventy-ninth World⁤ health Assembly in 2026. With ‍an estimated ⁤1 in 10 medicines in low- and middle-income countries being substandard or falsified,⁣ and economic losses ranging from US$ 75 to 200 billion annually, the ⁣stakes are high.⁤ The MsM has served‍ as a cornerstone of WHO’s global strategy, enabling countries to collaborate in preventing, detecting, and responding ‍to SF medical products.

What’s next

The WHO will continue to support member⁢ states in implementing ⁤these resolutions and strategies,working towards a healthier and more lasting future for all.