WHO Launches Global Health Inequality Monitoring Network to Drive Equity in Health Systems
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Institutions: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
The World Health Organization has established the Health Inequality Monitoring (HIM) Network, a global initiative hosted by its Department of Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI. The Network implements the Inequality Monitoring and Analysis Strategy through three core functions: building capacity for monitoring, generating and sharing evidence, and developing tools, resources, and best practices.
Twelve institutions across six WHO regions were selected from 68 applicants, including ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar, India. Selection criteria included training record, technical expertise, research output, and innovation, aligned with WHO’s FENSA policy.
The Network is governed by a Secretariat at WHO Headquarters and will be supported by a Steering Committee composed of member institutions. A second call for new members is planned for early 2026. Health inequality monitoring is essential to pinpoint who is being left behind, guiding policies to close gaps and advance equity.
This initiative builds on WHO’s General Programme of Work (GPW 14) and the 74th World Health Assembly’s call for strengthened multi-stakeholder action on social determinants and health equity.
Relevant question for policy stakeholders: How can India scale up its health inequality monitoring - leveraging institutions like RMRC Bhubaneswar - to align with WHO’s global network and inform equity-focused national health policy?
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