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World Health Day 2026
Together for health. Stand with science.
World Health Day 2026, observed on 7 April, calls on people everywhere to stand with science. Under the theme Together for health. Stand with science, people are encouraged to recognize the vital role of science in health, how it enables us to understand diseases, develop vaccines and treatments and deliver care more efficiently and affordably.
Across the Eastern Mediterranean Region, health workers and scientists work daily, often in extremely difficult conditions, to save lives and strengthen health systems.
With the support of WHO’s global network of over 800 collaborating centres, 69 of them located in our Region, science lies at the heart of the evidence-based policies and decisions that enable us to protect communities from growing health risks related to disease outbreaks and climate change and exacerbated by conflicts.
Standing with science means a healthier and safer future for all.
Key regional messages
Countries in the Region need sustained investment in national research systems to generate context-specific solutions.
We must foster innovation ecosystems that support new technologies, digital health and locally driven solutions.
Open science, clear communication and community engagement are essential to build public trust in science.
Investing in science today strengthens our ability to prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies tomorrow.
Supporting science-led solutions, based on evidence, facts and guidance, helps ensure a healthier future.
WHO’s ability to connect science with real-life practice across communities and countries is powered through its network of 800 collaborating centres, of which 69 are in the Region.
Health care and science
Attacks on health care not only impact the delivery of health services and safety of health workers. They erode the scientific, research and data capacities that underpin evidence-based health care.
In the first 4 months of 2026, 52% of attacks on health care globally happened in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Robust health systems are built on sound scientific research and evidence-informed policies.
Investing in the health workforce is investing in resilient health systems and health for all. (See the Regional flagship initiative on investing in a resilient health workforce.)
