London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Recent political changes have shifted the priorities of wealthier countries away from health, equity, and sustainable development, creating huge challenges for health and science communities worldwide. Science itself is being attacked, and scientists are afraid to speak out. In addition, unprecedented cuts have been made to international development, science and health budgets, with devastating results for health programmes across the globe. 

At the same time, the world is facing a perfect storm of challenges. Conflict, misinformation, rising costs and growing poverty risk making populations more vulnerable to outbreaks and emerging disease threats. Discrimination and inequities remain widespread and in some areas are even getting worse. Climate change threatens our entire planet and all of us on it, with the greatest impact being seen on those with the least resources and resilience. 

Human health is at the heart of all these challenges. Firstly, health is fundamental to human resilience – our ability to deal with what the world throws at us. And secondly, health is central to human happiness and fulfilment. And it is not just health, but health equity that should concern us: meaning everyone has a fair opportunity to attain their full potential for a healthy and fulfilled life.

LSHTM’s mission is to improve health and health equity both in the UK and worldwide through two interwoven activities: research and education. In such a challenging landscape, it is tempting to give up on both of these. But I would argue that this is exactly the time when we need to recommit to our mission.

When resources are in short supply, better understanding the fundamental drivers of health and what the most cost-effective interventions are to improve it becomes more important - not less. Research provides the evidence needed to underpin our united efforts to improve health and health equity in the belief that the future of public and global health is an ongoing commitment to improving the lives of everyone in society

In a time of accelerating change and uncertainty, in which so many of our communities face ever more complex challenges to human health, the expertise and knowledge that come from education are needed more than ever. Strengthening human capacity, training the next generation of health scientists and leaders, becomes ever more vital. As in the past, if we’re going to continue to survive and thrive, we’ll need the insights and disciplines of public health to play their part.

This means stepping up to face new threats, such as the health misinformation that, if left unchecked, threatens to drown out life-saving public health advice. But at the same time always engaging with empathy, recognising people’s hopes and fears and communicating what a brighter future for our shared health looks like.

We need to continue our long and strong track record of being responsive and of innovating. Responding to the emerging health threats, and embracing new opportunities as they arise, such as those provided by advances in artificial intelligence.

We need to continue to build partnerships based on equity and mutual respect. Modern complex health challenges demand we work together across disciplines and across international boundaries. The world needs supportive networks and collaborative approaches now more than ever. 

Today, we must continue to face forward together, with a vision to help create a more healthy, sustainable and equitable world. We promise to bring our scientific rigour, our determination, our hope and compassion to bear, to make that happen.