The year 2026 is expected to mark a turning point for public health. As we move deeper into the post-pandemic era and life expectancy continues to rise steadily, the international scientific community is now called upon to address not only infectious diseases, but also the growing burden of chronic illnesses, cancers, cardiometabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia.

These conditions profoundly affect both the quality of life and the sustainability of healthcare systems worldwide.

Within this new landscape—shaped on the one hand by rapid technological advancement, and on the other by persistent socioeconomic inequalities and the escalating climate crisis—the central goal of public health is increasingly defined as well-being. This means longevity combined with freedom from disease and a tangible improvement in overall quality of life.

Against this backdrop, five key changes and improvements are expected to dominate the public health agenda in 2026, reshaping priorities, policies, and interventions at both national and global levels.