Healthy families are the foundation for healthy communities, and through the Sustainable Development Goals, the world has made a promise of universal health coverage and health for all.
Yet each year, 4.8 million children die before reaching their fifth birthday — most from preventable causes — and almost 800 women and adolescent girls die due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth every day. Since its founding, the UN Foundation has worked to support the World Health Organization, UN agencies, and partners committed to delivering vital services to improve health globally and forge new, dynamic partnerships for health.
We also work to address emerging and reemerging health challenges, such as the threat posed by an increase in the global malaria burden and vaccine-preventable diseases, the rise of pathogens with pandemic potential, and the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
UN Foundation’s global health experts provide analysis and critical updates to help partners stay informed on developments in the multilateral health space.
SubscribeWe develop resources, such as reports, policy papers, and videos on current health crises and emerging global health challenges.
Learn moreWe explore new means to mobilize funds to address under-resourced health issues, such as through our Outbreak Prevention and Preparedness Fund.
LEARN MOREWe believe improving health outcomes depends on bold thinking, innovation, and collaboration by all partners. We facilitate conversations between a wide range of stakeholders, such as with our AMR Communications Coalition.
Learn moreWe’re invested in ensuring the world is better prepared to address pandemic threats. As part of this work, we’ve convened scientific experts to discuss the strength of the evidence, identify gaps, and propose a way forward to assess pandemic risk.
Learn moreAt the UN Foundation, we mobilize resources and expertise to improve health for everyone, everywhere by:
We work to support WHO and strengthen its engagement with civil society. We are a longstanding partner to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and a founding member of the Measles & Rubella Partnership. Additionally, we are proud to support the International Pathogen Surveillance Network Catalytic Grant Fund — a WHO initiative aimed at pathogen genomic surveillance in low- and middle-income countries. We also work with other partners — including UN health agencies and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance — to prevent disease, and help women, children, and families survive and thrive.