World Health Summit

“Healthcare must be seen not as a cost, but as an investment.” 

David Reddy, IFPMA 

At #WHS2026, David Reddy spoke about how to improve access to new medicines. For him, it is a shared responsibility: industry working with governments and international organizations, with a strong focus on each country’s needs. 

#GlobalHealth

In an op-ed published last month by Economist Enterprise, Carsten Schicker, CEO of the World Health Summit, explains why health investments are strategic, not charity. 

The key takeaways: 

➡️ COVID-19 made it clear: investing in health is not only a humanitarian cause, it is a strategic decision for economies and societies as a whole. 

➡️ Prevention and preparedness need resources upfront, but they avoid much greater human and economic costs later. Short-term savings can quickly become long-term losses. 

➡️ Strong health systems are a core part of both human and national security. As Europe puts defence higher on the agenda, health has to be part of that conversation. 

As Carsten puts it: “Building resilient societies requires us to recognise health, economic resilience and security as deeply interconnected, and to rethink how we value and invest in health.” 

Read the full op-ed here 👉 insights.economistenterprise.com/health-society… 

#WHS2026 #GlobalHealth #HealthSecurity

From Nairobi to Hong Kong 🌏

Following this year’s WHS Regional Meeting in Nairobi, hosted by Aga Khan University, Lukoye Atwoli passed the baton to Chak-sing Lau at the Opening Night of #WHS2026 in Berlin.

The WHS Regional Meeting 2027 will take place from May 7 to 9, 2027, hosted by the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed).

Under the theme “Health Across Borders,” the meeting will explore how the global health community can connect health systems with the digital world, work across sectors and disciplines, and translate scientific breakthroughs into equitable health policy.

The website is now online. Find the first details here: worldhealthsummit.org/events/regiona…

#GlobalHealth #WHSRMHongKong2027

🦷 No universal health without oral health. 

Oral health is essential to overall health, yet it is often overlooked in efforts to achieve universal health coverage. 

Coordinated by Sapienza University of Rome, the Working Group on Oral Health and General Health is one of the WHS Academic Alliance’s three working groups. It explores how oral health and overall health are connected throughout life and how research can inform education, policy, and the way health systems deliver oral health care. 

At #WHS2026, the group and Sapienza co-hosted the session “No Universal Health Without Oral Health.” Speakers discussed the role of oral health care in preventing and managing noncommunicable diseases. They also explored what biomarkers in saliva might reveal about a patient’s overall health. 

🔗 Learn more about the Working Group: worldhealthsummit.org/about/whs-acad…

🎬 A look back at #WHS2026 

As WHS President Axel R. Pries put it: “Multilateralism and international cooperation for health still work, is still needed, is still the way to go.” 

WHS2026 showed the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility for global health. 

What stays with us: 

• Connecting sectors and perspectives: Bringing together leaders from politics, science, the private sector, and civil society to exchange ideas, build trust, and strengthen cooperation. 

• Keeping health on the political agenda: Providing a platform for major announcements, new initiatives, and discussions on pressing challenges, including the future of global health governance.
 
• Advancing solutions: Sharing research, innovation, and approaches from across regions and sectors to address global health challenges. 

• Engaging the next generation: Giving young leaders a voice and creating opportunities to contribute to shaping the future of global health. 

On stage, in the halls, or joining online: Thank you for being part of #WHS2026 and for taking the dialogue forward beyond Berlin. 

#GlobalHealth