WHO Assembly Charts New Global Health Course: Tackling TB, Liver Disease, Bleeding Disorders, and

In a series of far-reaching decisions, global health leaders convened at the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) have committed to significant new strategies, aiming to re-energize the fight against persistent diseases, address escalating noncommunicable health burdens, close historical equity gaps, and confront the burgeoning threat of health misinformation. The resolutions passed signal a comprehensive pivot towards integrated, multi-sectoral approaches necessary to safeguard global well-being in an increasingly complex world.

Quick summary

• The WHA endorsed the development of a post-2030 tuberculosis strategy, aiming to guide future global responses and align with universal health coverage goals.
• Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD), formerly fatty liver disease, was formally recognized as a growing noncommunicable disease burden, with Member States urged to integrate its prevention and care into national health strategies.
• A resolution was approved to address significant gaps in diagnosis and treatment for haemophilia and other bleeding disorders, committing Member States to improve access to care and integrate management into national policies.
• A strategic roundtable underscored a global consensus that health mis- and disinformation poses a direct public health threat, calling for multisectoral collaboration and investment in resilient information ecosystems.

Why it matters

These resolutions carry profound implications for billions globally. For tuberculosis, charting a post-2030 strategy provides a critical roadmap to sustaining and accelerating gains against one of the world’s oldest and deadliest infectious diseases, especially as current targets remain elusive. The formal recognition of Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD) marks a crucial step in shifting public health focus towards a condition affecting an estimated 1.7 billion people, signaling a global commitment to tackling a silent epidemic closely linked to modern lifestyles and metabolic disorders. For individuals living with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders, the commitment to improved diagnosis and care offers a lifeline, addressing a long-standing equity gap that has left millions undiagnosed and underserved. Finally, the consensus on health mis- and disinformation as a public health threat reflects a growing understanding that effective health interventions are undermined if communities cannot access or trust accurate information, impacting everything from vaccination rates to emergency responses. These decisions are not merely policy adjustments; they are proactive measures designed to enhance health equity, strengthen health systems, and protect populations from both biological and informational threats.

Background

The World Health Assembly, as the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, annually brings together health ministers from its Member States to set global health policy. This year's session builds on a legacy of addressing pressing health challenges, often in response to evolving scientific understanding and epidemiological shifts.

The fight against tuberculosis, for instance, has a long and complex history. The current End TB Strategy, launched by WHO, aimed for a significant reduction in TB incidence and deaths by 2030. While considerable progress has been made, including an estimated 83 million lives saved between 2000 and 2024 due to expanded treatment, and a post-pandemic decline in incidence for the first time in 2024, persistent challenges like chronic underfunding, the lingering effects of pandemics, and socio-economic disparities mean that the 2030 targets remain off track. The call for a post-2030 strategy acknowledges the need for a refreshed, forward-looking approach that incorporates new scientific advances and adapts to current global health landscapes.

Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD), previously known as fatty liver disease, has emerged as a significant global health concern over recent decades. Its rising prevalence is closely tied to the global epidemics of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, falling squarely within the broader category of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) that now account for the majority of deaths worldwide. Despite its widespread impact, affecting an estimated 1.7 billion people, SLD has historically lacked dedicated global policy focus, often being overshadowed by other NCDs. The resolution marks a critical turning point, recognizing the need for integrated prevention and care strategies at a global level.

Haemophilia and other bleeding disorders, while rare, represent a severe and often overlooked public health challenge. For decades, diagnosis and access to effective treatments have been severely limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, leading to significant disability and reduced quality of life. The estimated 70% of people with haemophilia remaining undiagnosed highlights a profound equity gap that has persisted for generations. This new resolution builds on advocacy efforts from patient communities and health organizations, finally bringing these conditions into the forefront of global health policy.

The issue of health mis- and disinformation has intensified dramatically in recent years, particularly during global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Its rapid spread through digital platforms has demonstrated its capacity to undermine public trust, hinder health interventions, and even threaten global health security. The strategic roundtable on this topic reflects a growing international consensus that this is no longer merely a communication challenge but a tangible public health threat requiring concerted, multisectoral action.

Future of TB Response: Charting a Post-2030 Path

Delegates at the World Health Assembly moved decisively to endorse a request for the Director-General to develop a comprehensive post-2030 tuberculosis strategy. This forward-looking plan, to be crafted in close consultation with Member States and relevant stakeholders, is slated for submission to the Eighty-first World Health Assembly in 2028. The strategy is designed to provide critical guidance for the global TB response, integrating cutting-edge scientific advancements and adapting to evolving epidemiological patterns.

A key focus of the upcoming strategy will be its strong alignment with foundational pillars of global health, including primary health care, universal health coverage, and global health security agendas. This integration is particularly crucial as preparations gather pace for the 2028 United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB, ensuring a cohesive and impactful global approach. While acknowledging significant strides, such as the 83 million lives saved by expanded TB treatment between 2000 and 2024, and the unprecedented access to essential TB services recorded in 2024, the Assembly also highlighted that TB continues to be a leading infectious killer. Global targets under the existing End TB Strategy and the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remain off track, largely due to persistent challenges like chronic underfunding, pandemic-related disruptions, entrenched inequalities, conflicts, and climate-induced displacement and vulnerability.

Confronting the Silent Epidemic: Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD)

In a significant move, the Assembly approved a resolution recognizing Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD) as a rapidly escalating contributor to the global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Formerly known as fatty liver disease, SLD affects an estimated 1.7 billion people worldwide and is now considered one of the fastest-growing causes of chronic liver disease globally. This condition is intrinsically linked to widespread metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, with alcohol-associated liver disease also contributing substantially to the overall liver disease burden. Without effective prevention and timely care, SLD can progress to severe conditions including liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, placing immense strain on healthcare systems worldwide.

The resolution issues a robust call to Member States, urging them to integrate SLD into their national NCD strategies. It advocates for strengthening primary health care approaches, enhancing surveillance systems, and boosting public awareness campaigns. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of multisectoral action to address shared NCD risk factors, which include unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and the harmful use of alcohol. Crucially, the resolution also presses for improved access to prevention, screening, diagnosis, and management services, with a specific focus on high-risk populations, including children and adolescents. The WHO, in turn, is tasked with integrating SLD into its ongoing NCD prevention and control efforts, providing technical support to countries, and reporting biennially on progress within the global NCD agenda.

Closing the Equity Gap: Haemophilia and Bleeding Disorders

Recognizing a long-standing omission in global health policy, Member States at the Assembly endorsed a resolution to recommit action on haemophilia and other bleeding disorders. This decision aims to address the significant gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care that persist globally, with an estimated 70% of individuals living with haemophilia remaining undiagnosed. These conditions, which impair the body's ability to clot blood effectively, can lead to prolonged bleeding episodes, severe health complications, disability, and a diminished quality of life if not properly managed.

The resolution represents a concrete stride towards achieving equity for a community that has historically been marginalized. It provides comprehensive recognition not only for haemophilia but also for von Willebrand Disease and other rare clotting factor deficiencies. Through this commitment, Member States have pledged to strengthen access to treatment and care for individuals with bleeding disorders across the globe. Countries are encouraged to integrate bleeding disorder management into their national policies on NCDs, primary health care, and maternal health. Furthermore, the resolution calls for enhancing diagnostic capacity and ensuring timely referrals to specialized treatment centers. It also advocates for the inclusion of life-saving therapies, such as factor concentrates and novel non-factor therapies, in national Essential Medicines Lists. Member States are also encouraged to improve national data collection and promote public awareness to reduce stigma and foster a better understanding of bleeding disorders.

Battling Infodemics: Health Mis- and Disinformation as a Public Health Threat

A strategic roundtable session at the Assembly brought together a diverse array of leaders from governments, international organizations, scientific communities, civil society, youth groups, the private sector, and media to tackle the urgent issue of health mis- and disinformation. The session solidified a strong global consensus: mis- and disinformation are not merely 'communication challenges' but represent a growing public health threat that actively undermines the effectiveness of vital health interventions.

Across all perspectives, participants stressed the imperative for multisectoral collaboration and sustained investment in developing robust and resilient information ecosystems. The critical role of WHO in convening partners and providing normative guidance was also emphasized. Discussions included practical country-level strategies aimed at strengthening information integrity, encompassing whole-of-government approaches, deep community engagement, and transparent communication to foster public trust. Speakers highlighted the crucial role of empowering health workers and trusted community voices as frontline responders to misinformation, alongside leveraging scientific networks to ensure the timely and credible dissemination of evidence. Looking forward, key priorities identified include prioritizing investment in the quality of health information, moving from reactive correction to proactive engagement, and strengthening collaborations with key stakeholders such as technology platforms and end-user communities.

Qnews24h insight

The 79th World Health Assembly’s deliberations underscore a significant evolution in global health governance, moving beyond reactive crisis management to a more integrated, proactive, and equitable approach. The simultaneous focus on developing a long-term strategy for a traditional infectious killer like tuberculosis, formally recognizing an emergent NCD like Steatotic Liver Disease, addressing long-standing equity gaps in rare diseases like haemophilia, and tackling the modern challenge of health misinformation, illustrates the complex, multi-layered nature of 21st-century health threats. This assembly reflects a growing understanding that health is inextricably linked to socio-economic factors, information integrity, and robust primary care systems. The emphasis on multisectoral collaboration and the integration of these issues into national NCD strategies and universal health coverage frameworks suggests a more holistic vision. However, the true test lies in the translation of these high-level resolutions into tangible, adequately funded, and equitably implemented national actions. The WHA has set the ambitious agenda; the coming years will reveal the collective political will to fulfill it.

Sources

• Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 21 May 2026 - WHO

FAQ

What is Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD) and why is it now a global health priority?

Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD), formerly known as fatty liver disease, is a condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. It has become a global health priority because it affects an estimated 1.7 billion people worldwide, is one of the fastest-growing causes of chronic liver disease, and is closely linked to other widespread noncommunicable diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Untreated, it can progress to severe conditions like cirrhosis and liver cancer, placing immense pressure on health systems.

What new actions are being taken to address haemophilia and other bleeding disorders?

The World Health Assembly has endorsed a resolution to address major gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care for haemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Member States have committed to strengthening access to treatment, integrating management into national policies (including NCDs, primary health care, and maternal health), improving diagnostic capacity, ensuring timely referrals to specialized centers, and including life-saving therapies in national Essential Medicines Lists. The goal is to close the equity gap, as nearly 70% of people with haemophilia remain undiagnosed.

How is the World Health Organization planning to combat health mis- and disinformation?

The WHO, with Member States and diverse stakeholders, is working to combat health mis- and disinformation by recognizing it as a direct public health threat, not just a communication challenge. Key strategies include fostering multisectoral collaboration, investing in resilient information ecosystems, empowering health workers and trusted community voices as frontline responders, and leveraging scientific networks for credible information dissemination. Future priorities involve proactive engagement, investing in quality health information, and strengthening partnerships with technology platforms.

What is the significance of developing a post-2030 tuberculosis strategy?

The development of a post-2030 tuberculosis (TB) strategy is significant because despite progress, global targets under the current End TB Strategy and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda remain off track. This new strategy will guide the future global TB response, incorporating emerging scientific advances and current epidemiological trends. It aims to reinforce alignment with primary health care, universal health coverage, and global health security agendas, ensuring sustained efforts against a disease that remains a leading infectious killer.