Latest Health News
United States to Exit WHO on January 22, 2026
The Trump administration will terminate U.S. membership in the WHO tomorrow, opening paths for an alternative international health system due to past Covid-19 handling criticisms. This follows a year-long withdrawal process and WHO's 2025 budget cuts of 21% and staff reductions.
The move aligns with broader U.S. exits from 66 UN organizations.
Gavi CEO Urges Radical Reform of Global Health Institutions
Gavi CEO Dr. Sania Nishtar calls for merging operations of global health bodies to prioritize country needs over institutions in a Lancet viewpoint. She proposes using Gavi's reform as a blueprint despite funding cuts.
The architecture faces crisis after past achievements.
Ten Cancer Breakthroughs Highlighted for 2026 Hope
Dana-Farber lists advances like menin inhibitors for 40% of AML cases, radioligand therapy for prostate cancer, and next-gen CAR-T and NK cell therapies. Liquid biopsies using ctDNA detect relapse early, and protein degraders and AI aid research.
These target hard-to-treat cancers like pancreatic.
UT Southwestern Biochemist Wins Japan Prize for Immune Discoveries
Zhijian 'James' Chen receives the Japan Prize for cGAS, the innate immune system's DNA detector triggering pathogen defense. His work advances vaccines and therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
He also identified MAVS for antiviral signaling.
€147 Million Funded for Infectious Disease Research in 2026
Global Health EDCTP3 allocates up to €147 million for TB drugs, HIV management, lower respiratory infections, and climate-driven diseases. Calls opened January 14 with first-stage submissions by March 4.
Funds support Africa-Europe health security.
Johnson & Johnson Foundation and Others Commit $15M to African Community Health
The Global Fund secures nearly $15 million from Johnson & Johnson Foundation, Skoll Foundation, and Comic Relief UK for community health workers. The Africa Frontline First fund supports 68,000 workers serving 40 million, averting malaria deaths.
It unlocks $219 million across 22 countries.
Phase 3 Trial Starts for Delgocitinib in Lichen Sclerosus
Leo Pharma initiates DELTA CARE 1 trial with up to 652 patients testing delgocitinib cream, a pan-JAK inhibitor for inflammatory signaling in LS. No approved treatments exist in U.S. or Europe for this quality-of-life burdening disease.
It's the first pan-JAK trial for LS.
Four Penn Medicine Studies Top U.S. Clinical Advances
Penn studies honored include first patient-specific CRISPR gene editing for a rare genetic disease and armored CAR-T for resistant B-cell lymphomas. These federally supported breakthroughs turn ideas into therapies.
Led by experts like Carl June.
WHO Budget Slashed and Restructured Amid U.S. Withdrawal Pressure
WHO cut its budget 21% to $4.2 billion, halved leadership, reduced staff by 25%, and departments from 76 to 34 in 2025 due to U.S. funding end. Focus narrowed to norms, standards, and outbreak surveillance.
U.S. should build on reforms for faster product approvals.
U.S. Policies Upend Global Health and Humanitarian Programs
Executive actions from the U.S. are reshaping worldwide health and aid efforts. This coincides with WHO exit and broader UN disengagements.
Experts warn of impacts on disease surveillance.
Calls Grow for U.S. to Shape Post-WHO Global Health System
Amid tomorrow's WHO exit, U.S. plans consultations with allies and industry for alternatives focusing on outbreaks like polio. Continued technical cooperation urged despite withdrawal.
Western University experts available on consequences.