LocationsHealth, equity and demographic transitions: UNDP at PMAC 2026
February 6, 2026
Panelists discuss sustainable and equitable financing for immunization at a PMAC 2026 side meeting co-organized by UNDP, Gavi and UNICEF.
As countries across the Asia and Pacific region grapple with aging societies, declining fertility rates, rapid urbanization, climate pressures and widening inequalities, the health implications of demographic change are coming sharply into focus. These shifts are placing growing pressure on health systems, from rising burdens of non-communicable diseases and long-term care needs to strain on health financing, workforce capacity and service delivery.
Against this backdrop, the 2026 Prince Mahidol Awards Conference (PMAC), held in Bangkok, Thailand, brought together global leaders, policymakers, researchers and practitioners to examine how equity-centred, life-course approaches can strengthen health systems and improve well-being across generations. Co-hosted by the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation, the Royal Thai Government and international partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), PMAC 2026 was an opportunity to have critical dialogues to find solutions encompassing issues on health financing, governance and resilience in the context of demographic change.
Advancing sustainable financing for health system transformation
On 26 January, UNDP partnered with the Asian Development Bank and HelpAge International to co-organize the side meeting “Sustainable Financing for Health System Transformation: How Health Tax and Investments in Healthy Aging and Long-Term Care Leverage the Health System in Asia and the Pacific.” The session focused on how countries can implement taxes on health-harming products – like tobacco, alcohol and sugary substances – that have the dual effect of improving health outcomes and mobilizing additional financing.
During the session, Irina Goryunova, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Thailand, presented on UNDP’s work across countries to develop investment cases that make the economic and public health rationale for stronger action and policy change. Drawing on evidence from multiple country contexts, including Thailand, she highlighted how NCDs are now the leading cause of death in many low- and middle-income countries, and how investments in prevention and treatment – supported by policies such as health taxes – can save lives while delivering strong social and economic returns.
In Thailand, a 2 percent surcharge on excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol finances prevention through the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). Evidence from a recent analysis shows that since its establishment, adult tobacco use has fallen from 25 percent in 2001 to 17 percent in 2021, alcohol consumption has declined from 33 percent in 2004 to 28 percent in 2021, and road traffic deaths have decreased, demonstrating how sustained investment in prevention can deliver measurable health gains.
Irina Goryunova, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Thailand, presents on Thailand’s experience in leveraging health taxes for public health impact.
Strengthening health governance amid climate and geopolitical risks
UNDP also joined partners on 26 January to co-organize the side meeting “Strengthening Global Health Governance: Integrated Approaches for Climate Health Initiatives in Geopolitical Dynamics.” The discussion explored how climate change and geopolitical tensions are increasingly converging to place strain on health systems.
Rising global temperatures and extreme weather events – such as heatwaves, floods and storms – are driving the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, while also threatening food and water security. These impacts do not stop at national borders and are often felt most acutely by marginalized and mobile populations.
Participants explored governance and policy tools to build climate-resilient, equity-centred health systems, including National Health Adaptation Plans, early warning systems and climate-smart infrastructure.
“In this region, people are already living the health impacts of climate change – from air pollution to extreme heat,” said Heather Doyle, Regional Team Leader at UNDP. “Responding effectively means moving beyond siloed solutions and supporting governments to tackle these challenges across sectors, bringing a whole-of-government approach that matches the scale and complexity of the problem.”
Heather Doyle, Regional Team Leader at UNDP, emphasizes the necessity of a whole-of-government approach to address the unprecedented strains on health systems.
Rethinking intergenerational equity through immunization
On 27 January, UNDP partnered with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF to co-host the side meeting “Who Pays for Tomorrow? Rethinking Intergenerational Equity through the Lens of Immunization.” The session examined how demographic change, fiscal pressures and declining external assistance are reshaping decisions around long-term investments in preventive health measures such as immunization.
Discussions focused on practical strategies to secure sustainable and equitable financing for immunization, including domestic resource mobilization and the use of digital systems to improve efficiency and accountability.
"Digital technology is not just a technical solution, but a powerful policy tool through the use of data and AI-driven insights to inform programme planning and resource allocation,” said Les Ong, Programme Specialist at UNDP. “Digitalizing health programmes has been shown to also improve efficiencies which can drive equity by creating the fiscal space and resilience needed to reach the most remote and underserved communities."
Participants also highlighted the recently launched UHC Knowledge Hub, a new platform supporting policymakers in Ministries of Health and Finance in low- and lower-middle-income countries through capacity-building and knowledge sharing. Established through a partnership between the Government of Japan, the World Bank Group and the WHO, the Hub recognizes that accelerating progress toward universal health coverage depends on aligning health outcomes with fiscal policy and investment decisions.
Speakers share perspectives on sustaining immunization financing for future generations.
Addressing climate disinformation and protecting public health
UNDP further contributed to discussions on the intersection of climate, information integrity and health by co-organizing the side meeting “Addressing Climate Disinformation – Uncovering Implications for Health” on 27 January. Bringing together public health experts, climate specialists, researchers and media representatives, the session examined how climate-related misinformation and disinformation undermines evidence-based policymaking and public understanding of health risks, drawing lessons from past public health challenges such as tobacco control and vaccine misinformation.
“Misinformation doesn’t thrive because people lack facts – it thrives where trust is fragile,” said Kathryn Johnson, Policy Specialist at UNDP. “Across health, climate and governance, we’ve learned that information integrity is a development and governance challenge. Without trust, even the best-designed climate and health systems can fail socially, no matter how strong they are technically.”
Panelists exchange perspectives on countering climate disinformation to protect public health.
Reclaiming the narrative on the health harms of fossil fuels
On 29 January, UNDP’s Heather Doyle moderated a Special Event Fireside Chat on the health harms of fossil fuels and the growing movement to challenge industry-driven disinformation. In conversation with Dr Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director, Sunway Center for Planetary Health, and Dr Jeni Miller, Executive Director, Global Climate and Health Alliance, the discussion highlighted how the burning of fossil fuels drives severe and escalating health impacts – from air pollution and heat-related illness to disease spread and mental health harms – felt most acutely by vulnerable communities.
The speakers examined how fossil fuel companies have used communications, sponsorships and disinformation to obscure these harms and delay action, drawing parallels with earlier public health battles such as tobacco control. They emphasized the unique role of the health community, as trusted voices across societies, in exposing the true costs of fossil fuels, countering misleading narratives and mobilizing coordinated action for a rapid and just transition to cleaner energy systems. The conversation also provided a clear bridge to the theme of PMAC 2027, which will focus on the commercial determinants of health, underscoring how corporate influence and industry practices shape health outcomes, and why confronting these forces is essential to protecting public health.
Looking ahead
Across PMAC 2026, UNDP’s engagement underscored the importance of putting health and equity at the centre of how countries respond to demographic change. The discussions highlighted that with the right policies, partnerships and leadership, demographic transitions can become an opportunity to strengthen health systems and improve well-being across generations.
As countries navigate rapid population shifts alongside climate and economic uncertainty, PMAC 2026 reaffirmed the need for collective, evidence-informed action – and a shared responsibility to ensure that health systems reach those most at risk.
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