G7 One Health Summit launches global diagnostics initiative, and other health stories

At the G7 One Health Summit from 5-7 April in Lyon, France, more than 20 international partners unveiled a global initiative to strengthen health security across human, animal and environmental systems.

The Global One Health Diagnostics Access Compact aims to expand access to affordable, high-quality diagnostics, enabling faster detection of diseases and more effective responses to emerging health threats.

The announcement comes as health systems face increasingly interconnected risks, from climate-driven shifts in disease patterns to rising zoonotic spillovers and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The Compact sets out four priority areas for action:

The Compact is expected to feed into upcoming G7 and multilateral health commitments, with a focus on embedding diagnostics and surveillance more firmly in global health policy and financing frameworks.

Major funding pledges also accompanied the launch. The European Commission committed €700 million ($818 million) to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, including an upfront €185 million ($216 million), alongside €46.5 million ($54.4 million) for a joint health security partnership and additional investments in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and dengue research. The World Bank announced $750 million for One Health programmes, while Gavi signalled up to $200 million to support African vaccine manufacturing.

With World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on 24 March, the WHO urged countries to speed up action on what is still one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.

New guidance promotes faster, cheaper tests that can be used closer to where patients routinely seek care. These portable tools deliver results within an hour, helping people start treatment sooner and reducing the spread.

The WHO also recommends simpler sample methods, including tongue swabs for those unable to produce sputum – mucus that can help diagnose respiratory infections – and pooled testing to cut costs. These steps could expand access, especially in low-resource settings.

Global action on TB has saved 83 million lives since 2000, yet funding cuts and slow uptake of diagnostic tools risk reversing gains. The WHO outlines five priority actions to eradicate the disease:

"Investing in TB is a strategic political and economic choice, generating up to $43 in health and economic returns for every dollar spent," said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Department for HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

For World TB Day, we published a Forum Stories blog highlighting progress made toward our Ending Workplace TB initiative, which you can read below.

Middle East conflict deepens health crisis: More than 1.1 million people have been displaced and over 1,200 killed as the conflict continues, with attacks damaging health facilities and disrupting medical supply chains. Environmental risks, including toxic “black rain” from strikes on oil sites, are also raising public health concerns. The WHO "calls on all parties to protect civilians and healthcare, ensure unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access and pursue de-escalation of the conflict so communities can begin to recover and move towards peace".

Negotiations extended on WHO's Pandemic Agreement: Member states agreed to extend talks to finalize how pathogens and resulting benefits, such as vaccines, are shared fairly before the final decision is made in May.

Millions of child deaths are still preventable: Around 4.9 million children died before age five in 2024, mostly from preventable causes, according to a UN report. The data shows that newborn complications, infections and malnutrition are the leading causes, with experts calling for more funding, stronger health systems and targeted support for high-risk regions.

China expands care for ageing population: The nation pledges to provide services or financial support for basic nursing and care for people with sustained disabilities lasting six months or more. The scheme aims to ease pressure on families and strengthen social security as the over-60 population surges.

German government pushes for sugar tax and energy drinks ban for children: The country moves to join the over 100 nations that have additional taxes on sugary drinks, with the proposal referred from the Bundesrat to a committee for review.

South Carolina measles outbreak nearly over: The epidemic which began in October could soon be finished, with the state's top epidemiologist stating that although the total number of cases remains at 997, no new cases have been reported in the past week.

Women's health by numbers: The women’s health gap is a massive global challenge. Closing it is not just a matter of equity, it’s a powerful driver of economic growth. Ensuring women have the same healthy lifespan as men could boost the economy by at least $1 trillion annually. Learn more about this and the other key figures in women's health in this article.

These cities are cutting heat, pollution and health risks: Cities are home to 56% of the world's population, but 83% report major vulnerability to climate hazards such as flooding and extreme heat. From ‘green corridors’ to low-emission zones, explore how cities are tackling climate‑health risks.

How rethinking purpose can drive healthy longevity: A growing body of research indicates that a sense of purpose is a primary driver of healthy longevity. High levels of purpose are associated with maintenance of walking speed and grip strength equivalent to being 2.5 years younger. Here are four ways to find your purpose and build longevity.