World Health Assembly: Public Health Awards and Global Health Priorities

The World Health Assembly has recognized six laureates for advancing global health equity and primary care, while delegates approved continued WHO support for Ukraine’s health emergency and emphasized integrated approaches to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health.

The 2026 Public Health Awards, presented during the seventy-ninth World Health Assembly, honor six individuals and institutions whose work has strengthened primary health care and reduced inequities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the laureates were selected for their contributions to achieving universal health coverage and addressing systemic barriers to care. The awards were handed out by Dr. Víctor Elias Atallah Lajam, President of the Assembly, alongside WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and representatives from partner foundations.

The Assembly also approved a decision to extend WHO’s support for Ukraine’s health emergency response, aligning with the existing resolution WHA75.11. Delegates noted the ongoing humanitarian and health challenges in the country and called for a progress report to be submitted at the 2027 Assembly. This decision underscores the WHO’s commitment to sustained emergency health assistance in conflict zones.

A key focus of the Assembly was the need for integrated systems to tackle noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions, which remain the leading causes of global illness and premature death. According to WHO data, these conditions are driven by shared social, commercial, and environmental risk factors, yet many health systems struggle to manage multimorbidity and aging populations effectively.

At a Strategic Roundtable, ministers, policymakers, and advocates discussed shifting from disease-specific approaches to people-centered systems that address risk factors and strengthen community engagement. Participants highlighted financing and fiscal policies—such as taxation and incentives—as critical tools to combat both risk factors and broader health determinants. The discussion followed the 2025 Political Declarations on NCDs and mental health, which reaffirmed global commitments to coordinated action across prevention, treatment, and care.

Why the integrated approach matters
The WHO’s emphasis on integrated care reflects a growing recognition that fragmented health systems cannot address the complex needs of modern populations. For example, a 2024 WHO report found that 60% of deaths globally are linked to NCDs, yet fewer than 30% of countries have national strategies that adequately address multimorbidity. The Assembly’s focus on financing and policy aligns with calls from global health experts to treat NCDs and mental health as interconnected challenges requiring multisectoral solutions.

What happens next
The WHO will continue monitoring progress on Ukraine’s health emergency, with a report due in 2027. Meanwhile, the 2026 Public Health Awards will serve as a benchmark for future initiatives in primary care and equity. The Assembly’s discussions on NCDs and mental health will inform global policy development, with the next major milestone being the 2027 WHO report on implementation progress.

For further details on the award winners, visit the WHO feature story on primary health care champions. The Strategic Roundtable proceedings and related resources are available here.

Key sources:

• World Health Organization (WHO), Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 20 May 2026
• WHO report on NCDs and mental health, 2024 Global Status Report
• Political Declarations on NCDs and mental health, 2025