From changes in global health leadership to climate change and Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, the following issues will shape policies, fuel public debate, and determine who leads the global health debate in 2026, according to Euronews.

Who holds the reins in global health?

Global health took a major hit last year when Donald Trump’s administration in the United States announced unprecedented cuts in humanitarian aid. Since then, several countries have followed suit, shifting their priorities and limiting resources for international health programs.

Cautious optimism, but big challenges remain

Cautious optimism, pointing to tools using Artificial Intelligence that can better target health services, new-generation vaccines, and climate-smart farming that improves both resilience and productivity.

“With stable systems and more reliable funding — areas where the EU and others are already well placed to lead — 2026 could be the year when ideas in global health become real solutions,” Langenbucher told Euronews.

Progress slowed by lack of funding

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria will be a major challenge in the coming months.

It explained that slow progress in controlling malaria and rising drug resistance are signs of underfunding and weak connections between prevention, primary care, and community health services.

A Global Fund spokesperson said the year ahead will involve difficult choices, but also a chance to reshape global health around real impact, better cooperation, and stronger leadership by countries, with the main goal of protecting the most vulnerable from preventable diseases.

More chances for tech breakthroughs

AI and other new technologies are expected to transform healthcare this year, helping with diagnosis, drug development, and reducing the workload of health workers.

Across Europe, biotechnology is growing fast, and the new EU Biotech Act is expected to become a key topic in political debates.

A spokesperson from the Spanish biotech company HIPRA said that 2026 could be the year of biotechnology for Europe, helping the continent become more independent and competitive.

The company also said biotech will play a bigger role in security and bio-defence, helping countries respond quickly to health crises and future pandemics with better tests and vaccines.

Health systems and staff are under pressure

Another major problem in OECD countries is the shortage of health workers, while demand is rising, populations are aging, and mental health among staff is getting worse.

OECD analyst Katherine de Bienassis said staff shortages will stay at the center of health policy talks in 2026.

She added that health systems will focus more on how to do more with fewer resources, while still protecting patient care.

Climate change brings new health threats

As climate change worsens, new health risks are appearing — from the spread of mosquito-borne diseases to the effects of pollution and loss of biodiversity.

Génon K. Jensen from the Health and Environment Alliance said the climate crisis is not slowing down, even though political attention in Europe is often focused elsewhere.

She said policymakers should cut costs and prevent disease by giving more importance to environmental and climate policies, including stronger chemical safety laws.

She added that people’s health must be at the center of climate planning, with nature-based solutions playing a key role.

Competition and trade tensions

The pharmaceutical industry is working in an unstable global market, affected by tariffs and geopolitical tensions, which will continue into 2026.

Elizabeth Kuiper from the European Policy Centre said Americans pay two to three times more for patented medicines than Europeans.

She added that threats of new US tariffs on medicines were a wake-up call for Europe to treat the sector more strategically, as a driver of innovation and economic growth.

A chance to set new health priorities

2026 could also be a year when new health issues get more attention.

DSW policy officer Ffion Storer-Jones said that growing awareness of the gender health gap should lead to targeted funding and strong political action, such as a European Women’s Health Strategy.

She also warned that rising sexually transmitted infections and antimicrobial resistance will remain serious cross-border health threats.

“We really hope that 2026 will not be just another year of panic followed by neglect in global health,” she concluded.