WHO Foundation

We build connections to power WHO’s work around the world.

Connecting philanthropic ambition with WHO’s mission - to solve urgent health priorities around the world.

Health worker in a headscarf giving oral vaccine drops to a child held by a woman in Nigeria

Who we are

What we stand for, and why it matters.

The WHO Foundation shares WHO’s vision of a world where health knows no bounds.

To ignite private funding and cultivate dynamic partnerships, driving WHO’s mission, championing health, and protecting the vulnerable.

Impact at a glance

WHO impact in numbers.

Equity

567M

More people gained access to essential health services, thanks to efforts to improve sanitation and an expanding health workforce.

Innovation

698M

More people are better protected from health emergencies, thanks to programs focusing on early warning and response systems.

Scale

1.75B

More people globally are living healthier lives, thanks to work in reducing air pollution, tobacco use and alcohol consumption.

What We Do

The global health landscape has never been more complex.

Our work starts by understanding the urgency of key global health issues, and the tools and resources needed to help solve them.

Women’s Health

The health of women and girls is still too often overlooked, ignored, or adversely affected by discrimination and injustice.

$1T

Annual economic boost from closing the women's health gap.

Mental Health

Mental health conditions are growing globally but can often be prevented and treated with the right care.

People are living with a mental health disorder.

Digital Health

Using tech in healthcare delivery can cut costs, speed up treatment and increase access to quality health care services globally.

$25B

Potential annual savings thanks to a reduction in hospital visits.

Health Emergencies

Health emergencies are not only increasing in number, but also becoming more complex.

1 in 5

Children in the world are personally affected by conflict.

Climate & Health

Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century and affects the health of each of us.

14.5M

Additional deaths predicted by 2050 due to climate change.

The world's trusted authority on global health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) leads global efforts to give everyone, everywhere the chance to enjoy a healthy life.

WHO is the United Nations agency entrusted to promote health, keep the world safe and serve those in vulnerable circumstances.

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It works in 150 country offices across six continents, with governments and health partners. WHO’s staff members and public health experts lead on health emergencies, they champion access to healthcare for all and work tirelessly to help us live safer, healthier lives.

WHO’s unique relationship with decision-makers means its guidance can be rolled out at scale. Its actions are based on science, with health equity at the core. Its reach is unparalleled.

More than half of the global population (roughly 4.5 billion people) currently lacks full access to essential health services, and while the United Nations has set a global goal to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, major gaps remain.

According to WHO, a lack of access to health care leads to catastrophic out-of-pocket spending which pushes billions of people into poverty and fuels millions of preventable deaths. This global crisis also weakens our defences against pandemics, climate shocks and the rise of drug-resistant superbugs.

Investing in WHO moves the world closer to health for all. We help identify where your ambitions and WHO's priorities align, then manage every step—from partnership and governance to delivery and reporting—so you know where your investment went and the impact it achieved.

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