YHO at the World Health Summit 2024: A Step Toward Global Health Equity

This October, representatives from YHO Full Members Organizations had the unique opportunity to represent young voices at the World Health Summit 2024 in Berlin, Germany. With over 3,500 on-site participants and 21,000 joining online from 140 countries, the Summit explored critical themes under the banner Building Trust for a Healthier World.

From climate and health to equity for marginalized groups, the Summit served as a platform for diverse discussions on the future of global health. YHO delegates not only attended these conversations but contributed actively, emphasizing the role of youth in shaping sustainable, equitable health systems.

Key Takeaways from the Summit:

1. Trust in Healthcare Systems

The Summit highlighted the importance of restoring trust in healthcare systems through timely responses, collaboration, and community-centered approaches. Addressing media manipulation, systemic inequalities, and corruption was identified as essential to fostering resilience and equity in global health.

2. Climate and Health

Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue—it is a pressing health crisis. Speakers discussed the need for accessible financing to support community-driven climate solutions, particularly for vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by climate-induced health challenges.

3. Women’s Health

Equity in women’s health remains a key priority. Investing in gender-sensitive healthcare systems not only improves health outcomes but also strengthens societies, with significant economic benefits for communities globally. While discussions emphasized the need to affirm access to healthcare for women, it is crucial to go beyond the binary and include all marginalized genders in efforts to ease restrictions on gender-specific care.

4. Mental Health

Discussions emphasized the integration of mental health into emergency response frameworks and the need to address youth-specific challenges such as climate anxiety. Community-based mental health initiatives can provide immediate, culturally relevant solutions.

5. Youth Advocacy

Youth participation remains underrepresented in high-level panels outside youth-specific discussions. However, the contributions of young delegates at the Summit underscored their potential to influence global health policies through mentorship, capacity-building, and dedicated advocacy efforts.

Reflections from YHO Delegates:

  • Katharina Näther shared her first-time experience at the Summit:

“Equity, trust, and community stood out as key themes. Discussions on mental health during crises, especially in war-affected regions, resonated deeply with me. Networking with health ministers and deans reminded me that collaboration goes beyond formal talks—it’s about building relationships and finding common ground.”

  • Matthew Baldacchino, a Global Health student, shared:

“This was the perfect opportunity to see global health in action. The integration of climate and health discussions was inspiring, and Dr. Tedros’ words—’There can be no health without peace, and no peace without health’—resonate deeply with me.”

  • Pauline M. Hastenteufel highlighted resilience and collaboration as key themes:

“Sessions on disability inclusion and health equity stood out to me. Despite accessibility challenges, this experience reinforced the importance of pushing for systemic change alongside an engaged network like YHO.”

  • Tsitsi Papunashvili reflected on the need for actionable strategies:

“Hearing from professionals and youth delegates inspired me to plan activities in my own country. Women’s health and mental health are areas where urgent action is needed, and the Summit strengthened my resolve to advocate for these issues.”

  • Austėja Sakalauskaitė, attending her second Summit, said:

“This experience reinforced my commitment to addressing mental health and climate change through community-driven solutions. Dr. Naveen Rao’s advice to ‘find your personal reason and let it fuel your work’ continues to inspire me.”

The World Health Summit 2024 reaffirmed the value of including youth voices in global health dialogues. As YHO continues to advocate for meaningful youth engagement, it’s clear that empowering young leaders is key to building equitable and sustainable health systems.