WHO Western Pacific Region weighs action plans on hypertension, tobacco, immunization and AI
At the 77th WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee, member states consider four action plans addressing hypertension, tobacco, immunization and AI.
The story in focus
At the 77th WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, meeting 19–22 October, member states consider endorsing four action plans on hypertension control, tobacco control, immunization and responsible AI in health. The WHO Regional Director says the agenda is both ambitious and urgent.
- The 77th session runs from 19 to 22 October and focuses on immunization, hypertension control and tobacco control.
- Hypertension affects about 430 million people in the region and is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, disability and premature death.
- Tobacco use causes roughly 3 million deaths annually in the region, where most countries are off track for the 30% reduction target by 2030.
Meeting context and priorities
Health ministers and senior officials from across the WHO Western Pacific Region are meeting at the seventy-seventh session of the Regional Committee, the WHO governing body for the region, from 19 to 22 October. The session focuses on priorities where progress is lagging: immunization, hypertension control and tobacco control.
The committee also will consider artificial intelligence and its implications for public health in the most populous WHO region, home to 2.2 billion people, a quarter of the world population. WHO Regional Director Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala described the agenda as both ambitious and urgent.
Action plans under consideration
Four draft action plans will be considered for endorsement. The draft Regional Plan for Accelerating Hypertension Control notes that hypertension affects about 430 million people in the region and is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, disability and premature death.
A draft tobacco control plan notes that tobacco use causes approximately 3 million deaths each year in the region, where most countries are off track to achieve the targeted 30% reduction by 2030. A draft immunization plan prioritizes reducing zero-dose or unvaccinated children, achieving and sustaining measles elimination, and advancing immunization across the life course.
The draft Guidance for Responsible AI in Health contains three operational frameworks: prioritizing use cases, determining the minimum necessary ecosystem, and building institutional and workforce capacity.
What are the main health priorities at the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee session?
The session focuses on immunization, hypertension control and tobacco control, plus artificial intelligence. Members consider four draft action plans and a ministerial roundtable on a regional health essential stockpile through pooled procurement.
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