“Wisdom does not reside in one person’s head.” 

This Ghanaian proverb aptly captures the spirit of this year’s World Health Day theme, “Together for Health: Stand for Science,” which underscores the power of scientific collaboration in protecting the health of people, animals, and our planet. It also offers an important moment to reflect on the innovations and scientific achievements that have improved health outcomes, driven progress and brought us this far.

Why science matters

Major scientific discoveries have profoundly shaped our lives and significantly improved the quality of life around the world. Take vaccination for example, widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions of our time. According to UNICEF, vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives over the past 50 years, dramatically reducing the burden of diseases such as polio and measles, and contributing to the eradication of smallpox.

Similarly, antiretroviral therapy which represents one of the most transformative breakthroughs in global health, have given people living with HIV a new lease on life and significantly improved overall health outcomes and quality of life. According to UNAIDS, the global scale-up of HIV treatment has averted an estimated 16.5 million AIDS-related deaths since 2001 and in Ghana over 12,000 AIDS related deaths were averted in 2024 due to antiretroviral therapy.

Science also played a critical role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic by rapidly generating the evidence and tools needed to understand and control the pandemic. Scientific collaboration enabled the development of reliable diagnostic tests, and the unprecedented speed in the development of vaccines. 

As we mark this year’s World Health Day, urgent efforts are needed to rebuild trust in science, harness scientific collaboration that have greatly improved health outcomes and chart a renewed path forward through science to protect people, planet, plants and animals.

Invest in an enabling ecosystem that nurtures scientific collaboration 

Strategic investment is essential to build the skills and collaborative capacity to translate science into real-world solutions that improve health outcomes and well-being. However, current levels of investment remain insufficient. World Bank data indicate that African countries spend an average of just 0.45% of GDP on research and development (R&D), well below the global average of 1.7%. In Ghana, the situation is even more constrained, available data indicates that only about 0.38% of GDP is allocated to R&D falling below both the global and African averages. To move the needle, secure sustainable domestic investment in scientific research aligned with national development needs will have to be prioritized. Building a robust and inclusive scientific workforce is also crucial for strengthening scientific collaboration. However persistent gender disparities continue to limit women’s participation in science. According to UNESCO, women account for approximately 35% of students enrolled in STEM fields globally, and only about 33% of the research workforce. In Ghana, the gap is even more pronounced, with women comprising just 24% of professionals in STEM-related fields. This underrepresentation deprives science of diverse perspectives, expertise, and innovative ideas that are critical for addressing complex global health challenges. Addressing these disparities through inclusive policies and supportive learning environments is essential to expand the pool of scientific talent and strengthen collaboration.

Empower communities to stand with science 

Communities are essential partners in scientific collaboration, helping translate research and innovation into practical solutions that improve health outcomes. However, recent data suggests that community engagement in One Health research across Africa remains limited, due to ineffective and uncoordinated stakeholder involvement and language barriers. Harnessing the potential of communities to stand with science will require deliberate efforts to communicate scientific information in ways that are clear, jargon free, and culturally relevant. Targeted strategies are also required to actively combat misinformation and disinformation by promoting credible sources and fostering transparent engagement between scientists, policymakers, and communities. Research indicates that globally and in Ghana only about one in four people believe policymakers consistently base decisions on scientific evidence, highlighting a persistent gap between research and policy implementation.  Investing in data systems, open-access repositories, and digital tools especially for policymakers will make high-quality, real-time scientific evidence easily accessible to aid in decision making. Grounding health policies in science and data ultimately maximizes the impact of these policies while reinforcing accountability, public confidence and trust in science.

Prioritize strategic multidisciplinary partnerships 

Developing strategic partnerships is essential to rebuild trust in science and ensure that scientific collaborations translate into tangible benefits for populations. Initiatives such as the UNDP led Access and Delivery Partnership demonstrate how effective partnerships can accelerate the introduction, and uptake of new health technologies for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Malaria, and Tuberculosis. Through the access and delivery partnership, countries including Ghana, are being supported to introduce and scale up paediatric praziquantel, a groundbreaking treatment for schistosomiasis in preschool-aged children, closing a critical treatment gap of more than 50 million across Africa. Open and transparent scientific partnerships enhance synergies, reduce duplication, promote innovation and mutual respect across institutions and countries. Adopting a One Health approach by recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health can help cocreate solutions and foster multidisciplinary collaboration to address complex health challenges.

Leverage digital technology to advance scientific collaboration 

Digital technologies and artificial intelligence are critical game changers that can enhance research capacity, enable real-time data analysis, and facilitate scientific collaboration across countries and institutions. These technologies make collaboration more dynamic and inclusive by lowering the barriers to scientific exchange and fuelling innovations that enhance health outcomes. However, leveraging these tools requires robust, ethical, and inclusive governance frameworks that safeguard privacy, strengthen data protection, and ensure transparency and accountability. Responsible deployment of these emerging technologies is also critical to ensure that these tools do not inadvertently reinforce existing inequalities but instead expand access to scientific benefits. The United Nations Development Programme through its Artificial Intelligence Landscape Assessment (AILA) process provides a structured approach to design actionable pathways for inclusive and responsible AI development whilst prioritizing alignment with human rights principles, and robust trust mechanisms that safeguard people.

The world stands at a critical inflection point marked by multiple, overlapping and interconnected challenges.

This World Health Day provides an important opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to stand with science, strengthen scientific collaboration, and advance inclusive science-led solutions to the complex health challenges confronting our world. 

Doing so is imperative for the survival of people, animals, plants, and the ecosystems that sustain life ensuring that no one is left behind.