Every year, the world’s most influential leaders—from business, politics, and academia—gather in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Annual Meeting.
It’s where big ideas meet big decision-makers to tackle global challenges and shape policies that drive progress.
Heads of state, CEOs, economists, scientists, and even activists come together to discuss issues that impact the world—from economics and technology to climate change and healthcare.
The 2025 meeting, held from January 20–24, focused on some of the most pressing issues of our time, and Health was one of the hottest topics.
From AI in medicine to climate change’s impact on well-being, leaders explored how innovation and policy can create a healthier, more equitable world.
Here are key health discussions that took place at Davos 2025.
Health and healthcare innovation at Davos 2025
Global leaders, healthcare experts, and policymakers gathered to address pressing challenges in public health, including equitable healthcare access, preventive medicine, and the impact of climate change on health.
Davos 2025 health-related discussions stressed upon the urgent need for transformative policies and technological advancements for an inclusive, predictive, and resilient global health system.
Artificial intelligence in healthcare
A significant portion of the discussions centred on AI’s potential in the medical field. Sir Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind discussed groundbreaking advancements, notably the AlphaFold program, which has revolutionised protein folding research.
This development holds immense promise for accelerating scientific research and medical progress. It could lead to novel treatments and a deeper understanding of complex diseases.
However, the integration of AI into healthcare has its challenges. Pope Francis, in his address to the summit, expressed concerns regarding AI’s capacity to worsen a “crisis of truth.”
He emphasised the ethical implications and the necessity for vigilant oversight to ensure that AI’s deployment in healthcare serves humanity’s best interests without compromising ethical standards.
Breaking barriers for people with disabilities
Nearly 15% of the global population lives with disabilities and systemic obstacles in education, employment, and healthcare. Katy Talikowska, CEO of The Valuable 500, and David Edwards, General Secretary of Education International, led the discussion to dismantle the barriers.
They spoke about inclusive technology, workplace accommodations, and policy reforms to ensure that the inclusion of people with disabilities is equal to others in every opportunity.
The dialogue explained how economic growth and innovation relate directly to full societal participation. Therefore, making disability inclusion a social imperative but also an economic necessity.
Extending healthy lifespans
Another critical issue discussed at Davos was the growing disparity in healthy life spans across different populations. Experts explored how socioeconomic status, education, and access to healthcare contribute to unequal health outcomes.
Michel Demaré, Chair of AstraZeneca, highlighted a major shortfall in modern healthcare systems:
“Far too much is going on treating patients rather than trying to stop them from getting sick in the first place.”
Takeda Pharmaceutical CEO Christophe Weber called for a shift towards predictive and preventive healthcare. The discussion laid a strong emphasis on the early detection of diseases, lifestyle interventions, and policy-driven changes for ensuring equitable health outcomes, particularly in underserved communities.
Climate change and public health
Davos 2025 exposed the alarming health implications brought about by climate change. Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, and Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation, explored the intersection of environmental shifts and public health.
Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and air pollution are aggravating respiratory diseases, vector-borne illnesses, and food insecurity.
The session explained the importance of climate-responsive healthcare strategies—like developing vaccines for climate-sensitive diseases, early warning systems for environmental hazards—and policies to mitigate the health impact of pollution and extreme heat.
A global commitment to women’s health
The discussions at Davos 2025 made it clear: women’s health is not a niche issue—it is a cornerstone of global development. The Global Alliance on Women’s Health at the WEF served as a platform to translate these insights into actionable policies and investments.
Discussions at the Investing in Women’s Health session, developed in collaboration with CNBC Africa, highlighted the undeniable link between gender equality in healthcare and broader economic growth.
The economic case for women’s health
Anita Zaidi, President of Gender Equality at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, made a compelling argument:
“For every dollar you invest in women’s health, there’s a three-dollar return.”
This return is not just financial—it manifests in increased workforce participation, reduced healthcare burdens, and stronger communities.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell reinforced this idea, emphasising that
“If women are healthy and can participate in their society, then the society is going to be prosperous.”
The broader economic impact of gender parity was a focal point of the ‘Adding Trillions with Gender Parity’ session.
Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, highlighted a statistic:
“If you had women participating as actively as men in the economy, the world’s GDP would be 20% higher.“
These insights reinforced the urgency of prioritising women’s health—not just as a human rights issue, but as a strategic investment in global prosperity.
Global health initiatives and economic considerations
The forum also explored the economic dimensions of global health. Discussions highlighted the imperative for nations to strengthen their healthcare systems, especially in the wake of recent global health crises.
The dialogue reflected the importance of international collaboration in funding and resource allocation to enhance healthcare infrastructure and accessibility worldwide.
Ethical and regulatory frameworks
As technological innovation continues to flood the healthcare space, the call for strong ethical and regulatory standards was a dominant theme. It emphasised the need for inclusive policies that oversee the use of new technologies responsibly and equitably.
The consensus was unanimous—while innovation propels healthcare forward, it must be balanced with safeguards that protect individual rights and societal well-being.
A global call to action
Davos 2025 reinforced that the future of global health depends on a multi-sectoral approach—one that prioritises inclusion, prevention, and adaptation.
The discussions at Davos established mutual advancement between innovation and equity through disability inclusivity, clinical prediction research and climate health solutions.
The conversations represented a call to pursue concrete steps which drive governments and business entities alongside global health organisations toward developing a healthier resilient world.
