78th WHA Individual Statements
Access to reliable healthcare information is fundamental to achieving universal health coverage. Every person and every health worker needs access to relevant and reliable healthcare information to protect their own health and the health of others.
In 2023 and 2024, we undertook a global consultation through the Healthcare Information For All global health network. We gathered feedback from 2,400 health professionals, policymakers, librarians, publishers, researchers, and patient representatives.
The respondents overwhelmingly called on WHO to explicitly champion the goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. While universal access to reliable healthcare information is implicit in the WHO's Constitution, it is not recognised in WHO policy. We urge WHO to explicitly champion this goal and convene stakeholders to develop a global strategy for its realisation. We and our partners stand ready to support.