On 24 April, senior government officials from health ministries across the Commonwealth met prior to the 2025 Commonwealth Health Ministers meeting to discuss investments to support health systems amid the current global financial context that has placed many vulnerable nations at risk.
Read news -
Rethinking health financing for a thriving Commonwealth workforce
Main page for this area of work
Accelerating positive health outcomes in the Commonwealth was the focus of two meetings held in March at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Read news -
Innovative approaches to securing a healthy Commonwealth spotlighted in meetings
17 May 2025 to 17 May 2025
Ministerial meeting
Health Ministers from across the Commonwealth will convene in Switzerland for the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (37CHMM). The meeting will be held on 17 May before the World Health Assembly, which starts on 19 May in Geneva.
As we recognise January as Cervical Cancer Awareness month, a recent report from the Commonwealth Secretariat and TogetHER for Health illustrates a vital path towards eliminating cervical cancer in Commonwealth countries.
Read news -
New report shows how Commonwealth countries are advancing cervical cancer elimination
The World Malaria Report 2024 findings highlight notable advancements within Commonwealth countries to combat the incidence of malaria cases. Belize was certified malaria-free for the second year running and across Africa - in Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Togo, Tanzania – the incidence rate has been reduced.
Read news -
New report shows Commonwealth countries making progress against global uptick in malaria burden
The Commonwealth Secretariat and the East, Central, and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC) have launched a significant mental health project to raise the standard of health of youths across nine countries in the region where mental health challenges in young people are on the rise.
Read news -
Commonwealth and ECSA join forces to improve mental health for African youth
According to the World Health Organization, 30–50% of all cancer cases are preventable and prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer.
Read news -
Galvanising investment in cancer prevention and control in the Commonwealth
The Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer in the Commonwealth has published initial recommendations to support the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth in tackling the rising incidence of cancer.
Read news -
Game-changing roadmap to prevent and control cancer across Commonwealth
14 November 2024 to 14 November 2024
(GMT)
Webinar
Cancer prevention and control could save hundreds of thousands of lives in low-and middle-income Commonwealth nations including Small Island Developing States. This webinar will discuss innovative ways of preventing and controlling cancer prevention and control and present insights and strategies that can drive meaningful change.
The World Cancer Congress has concluded in Geneva, Switzerland, with a robust set of recommendations which, if implemented, could contribute to eliminating cervical cancer, which claims nearly 10 million lives annually around the world.
Read news -
Saving women’s lives: A pathway to Cervical Cancer elimination in the Commonwealth
Visionary women leaders from across the Commonwealth came together in Samoa today to make a strong commitment to protecting women and girls from what they call “fully preventable” suffering caused by violence and cervical cancer.
Read news -
‘No silence’: Commonwealth women leaders commit to ending domestic violence and cervical cancer
High-level government leaders and multistakeholder partners came together today to strengthen their commitment to addressing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health at a side event held during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa.
Read news -
Government leaders and multisectoral partners unite to tackle noncommunicable diseases and mental health issues in the Commonwealth
This roadmap establishes a framework for how Commonwealth member countries can promote healthy ageing across the life-course for all citizens, and address the current and future challenges arising from ageing populations. It offers recommendations that aim to align policies and foster collaboration between government bodies, businesses and civil society, and provides an overview of tried-and-tested solutions that can be adapted to the unique needs of each country.
Read publication -
Ageing Well in the Commonwealth: A Roadmap for Healthy Ageing
Five years ago, a random gynaecological screening turned veteran Zambian radio and TV presenter Karen Nakawala's life upside down. A pap smear, followed by a biopsy revealed Karen had cervical cancer.
As part of efforts to advance global health targets, Commonwealth young leaders have concluded a critical three-day summit in London with the launch of two key initiatives: the Commonwealth Young Health Leaders Fellowship and the Commonwealth Leadership Institute (Health).
Read news -
New Commonwealth youth initiatives launched to promote better health and well-being
As the role of digital technologies becomes more critical in healthcare delivery, health ministers are moving towards the greater adoption of digital solutions to deliver better health services for Commonwealth citizens.
Read news -
Digital Health Maturity: How the Commonwealth is delivering on global health targets
In the last few weeks, sadly, more than 150 people have died from oppressive heat in India. In Africa, while some countries are experiencing torrential rains, others are suffering from terrible droughts.
Read news -
Commonwealth Secretary General: Small Island Developing States need finance to tackle climate crisis
London, UK - June 22, 2024: The Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Indian High Commission in the UK and Heartfulness Worldwide today held a special yoga session at Marlborough House to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga.
Read press release -
Uniting for Health: Commonwealth and Global Partners Celebrate 10th International Day of Yoga
Advocates for vision health are calling for urgent and collaborative action across the Commonwealth to address the impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on eyesight.
Read news -
Why eye health is critical to the Commonwealth's vision for tackling non-communicable diseases
Commonwealth health ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating efforts to eliminate malaria.
Read news -
‘Remember the children’, minister urges concerted action on malaria
The Commonwealth health ministers have come together to pledge a joint action to help create resilient health systems for small and vulnerable states.
Read news -
Health ministers pledge joint action to build climate-resilient health systems
Commonwealth health ministers, senior government officials, global health leaders and civil society groups will meet in Geneva from 24 to 25 May 2024 to examine practical interventions that will enable countries, particularly small and vulnerable states, to strengthen their health systems and recover effectively from exogenous shocks.
Read news -
Commonwealth ministers to join forces to strengthen health systems amid escalating threats
The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is not equitable in the world or across the Commonwealth. NCDs are collectively responsible for the deaths of 41 million people per year, accounting for 74 per cent of deaths worldwide. Each year, 17 million people die from an NCD before the age of 70 – and almost 50 per cent of these deaths occur in Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth is disproportionately affected by premature, preventable deaths due to NCDs, which in turn have a profound impact on economic prosperity and are a major threat to sustainable development.
Read publication -
Addressing the Rising Burden of Non-communicable Diseases in the Commonwealth: Full Report
26 May 2024 to 26 May 2024
(CEST)
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Health Organisation will host a side event focused on advancing digital health maturity in the margins of the 36th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM), as part of the broader Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH).
Today, global leaders, policymakers, and experts convened at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s London headquarters to address the critical intersection of human and planetary health in the face of escalating climate change.
Read news -
Commonwealth and PATH rally global leaders for One Health approach in climate battle