The world’s health workers, including researchers and scientists developing the next generation of life-saving medicines, have much to celebrate. In all parts of the world, life expectancy for low-, middle-, and high-income countries continues to increase unabated. The nearly 100 million babies born in 2019 will live longer, healthier, and wealthier lives than their parents.

In the not-so-distant future, we could see the end of TB, eradication of polio, 100 percent detection and treatment for all HIV/AIDS cases, and not only will malaria be eradicated from 21 target countries, but a vaccine may be invented. These are at the core of the World Health Organization’s efforts to respond to health emergencies while coordinating preparedness and policy objectives with national governments.