Health beyond health: Insights from the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79)
Disruption and uncertainty are defining the current state of global health governance. The cohesion that once underpinned multilateral cooperation is loosening, giving way to a more fluid and contested landscape.
At WHA79, this shift came into focus with North-South divides resurfacing over the future sustainability of health systems. Across areas from non-communicable diseases and mental health to antimicrobial resistance and digital health, discussions pointed to a broader realignment, one that will shape how health actors engage to remain relevant in a system under increasing pressure and scrutiny.
Struggles over health governance reform and a widening global divide
Efforts to reform global health governance at WHA79 were marked by financial strain, rising assertions of national sovereignty and shifting disease patterns. These pressures reinforce the perception that the Global Health Architecture Reform initiative lacks ambition and fails to address key structural challenges, leaving significant work ahead.
These debates also highlighted deepening divisions on the structural aspects of multilateral collaboration, opposing binding commitments and equitable access to more flexible, market-driven approaches.
Commitment vs delivery: Health policy outcomes
WHA79 also delivered a broad set of policy outcomes. The NCD agenda expanded to emphasise prevention, metabolic health, and the role of commercial determinants, signalling a shift toward more integrated approaches to chronic diseases. Meanwhile, countries updated strategies on antimicrobial resistance, immunisation, and tuberculosis, highlighting the need to rebalance efforts toward prevention, rebuild public trust, and sustain momentum where progress is uneven.
On the other side, health systems discussions focused on financial stress, workforce shortages, and the need to rethink investment models, with new strategies on emergency care, workforce mobility, and the economics of health. In this context, digital health emerged as a system-wide challenge, with emphasis on governance, interoperability, and the responsible use of AI.
Implications for health advocates
Threse trends have important implications for organisations advocating in the health space. We explore some recommendations to remain relevant:
- Consolidate and prioritise impact initiatives to align with the evolving health agenda.
- Partner beyond traditional actors and across sectors to expand reach and capabilities.
- Prepare for digital and AI integration and contribute to digital governance frameworks.
- Embed equity and trust into the organization’s advocacy plans.
- Shift from frameworks to implementation of commitments.
- Invest in foresight and strategic intelligence to account for the evolution of health system priorities.
About Leidar
Leidar is an international leadership and corporate affairs consultancy, headquartered in Geneva with offices in Brussels, London, Oslo, Washington, New York, Singapore and Dubai. Leidar supports organisations in defining their strategic direction, managing complex issues, and mastering their communications and engagement needs. The firm works across sectors including energy, public health, aviation, shipping, and sustainability.
For more information, please contact
Lukasz Bochenek
Chief Executive Officer based in Geneva
Lukasz is the CEO of Leidar, where he advises global companies and international organizations on navigating complex issues and stakeholder landscapes. His approach combines strategic management, commercial law, and human-centric anthropology to deliver clear direction and impact.
Mariano Guillén
Head of Brussels Office based in Brussels
Mariano Guillén leads Leidar’s Brussels Office.