The Future of Global Health

The big challenges ahead - aid cuts, chronic diseases, climate change and pandemics - and a recap of how economics guides global health choices.

Global health has made remarkable progress, but the next decades bring new challenges.

Challenge 1: Funding shifts

The sharp cuts in donor funding in 2025 disrupted programmes in many countries. Countries are being pushed to increase domestic spending, integrate donor-funded programmes into national systems and use money more efficiently.

Challenge 2: Non-communicable diseases

Non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease, now cause the majority of deaths worldwide, including in India. They require long-term care and prevention through:

Tobacco and alcohol taxes.
Reducing salt, sugar and trans fats.
Screening and treatment for blood pressure and diabetes.

India’s programmes for screening common non-communicable diseases at health and wellness centres aim to catch problems early.

Challenge 3: Climate change

Climate change affects health through:

Heat waves, increasingly deadly in South Asia.
Changing disease patterns, such as the spread of dengue.
Air pollution, which the Lancet Commission and others have linked to millions of deaths globally.
Food insecurity and water stress.

Challenge 4: Pandemics and AMR

COVID-19 showed the huge costs of pandemics. Preparedness, surveillance and vaccine manufacturing capacity remain priorities, along with tackling antimicrobial resistance.

Challenge 5: Ageing

As populations age, demand for chronic and long-term care grows, putting pressure on health systems.

Module recap

Health has improved enormously through water, vaccines, medicines, nutrition and knowledge.
Health is financed mainly domestically, with aid important in the poorest countries.
Gavi and the Global Fund show the power of pooled buying and competition.
Polio eradication, clean cooking and safer childbirth show both progress and unfinished work.
Evidence and cost-effectiveness guide priorities, though evidence is often debated.
COVAX showed both the power of pooled buying and the risks of vaccine nationalism.

The heatwave clinic

During an extreme heatwave, a district hospital sets up a special ward for heatstroke, while ASHA workers visit elderly residents with advice and oral rehydration salts. Planning for climate-related health risks is becoming part of routine health policy.

Thinking global health means only infectious diseases in poor countries

Chronic diseases, climate impacts and ageing are now central to global health everywhere.

Key takeaways

Aid cuts are pushing countries toward domestic financing.
Non-communicable diseases now cause most deaths worldwide.
Climate change affects health through heat, disease, pollution and food.
Pandemic preparedness, AMR and ageing remain key priorities.