World Health Day 2025: Cancer, Maternal Health, and the Fight for Equity

On April 7, 2025, the world came together to mark World Health Day 2025 with one unifying message: “My Health, My Right.” Behind that message was a powerful vision—one where healthcare systems prioritize people, not just protocols. Where every mother, child, and cancer patient, no matter where they live, has access to the care they need to survive and thrive.

This year’s campaign, launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the banner “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” places a spotlight on maternal and newborn health—a global challenge that continues to claim lives at staggering rates.

When Hope Begins at Birth

Every year, over 300,000 mothers and 4 million newborns and stillborns die from causes that are largely preventable. These are not just numbers—they are families torn apart, futures lost before they’ve even begun.

Incredibly, 80% of countries are not on track to meet the 2030 goals for maternal survival.

But there’s hope—and it starts with quality care before, during, and after childbirth, along with support for mental health, family planning, and managing noncommunicable diseases. These are not luxuries—they are essentials. And they should be the foundation of every health system.

Photo from who.int

Beyond the Diagnosis: People-Centered Cancer Care

Carolyn Taylor, in her article for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), reminds us that cancer care is more than just treatment—it’s about seeing the whole person.

Too many systems today are fragmented. Patients face delays, lack psychosocial support, and often, financial devastation. But solutions are within reach:

• National Cancer Control Plans to align care and resources.

• Patient voices at the table to design better systems.

• Civil society models, like the Sri Lanka Cancer Society, which offer palliative care, financial help, and reintegration services.

• Tackling the social roots of illness—poverty, education, and equity.

• And perhaps most critically: sustained investment, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Photo from UICC

An Unexpected Connection: HPV and Heart Disease

A groundbreaking study presented at the American College of Cardiology revealed a surprising link—HPV infection may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 40%. Even after adjusting for traditional risk factors, the connection remained strong, likely due to chronic inflammation caused by the virus.

This research offers a new dimension to the value of HPV vaccination—not just preventing cancer, but possibly saving hearts, too.

Photo from gavi.org

Voices Around the World: Standing for Equity

On World Health Day, organizations across the globe stood together with a common goal: equity in healthcare.

• Cancer Fight Tanzania demanded universal healthcare and stronger systems for early detection.

• Childhood Cancer International – Europe pushed for cross-border access so that no child is left without treatment.

• The National Foundation for Cancer Research featured Dr. Allison’s pioneering work in expanding access through innovation.

• Dr. Rob Winn championed community outreach and prevention, especially in underserved areas.

• The European Cancer Organisation unveiled its Cancer Roadmap to 2030, emphasizing collaboration over competition.

• ESGO focused on compassionate care for pregnant patients with gynecologic cancers.

These aren’t just organizations—they are changemakers fighting for a future where care reaches every person, in every corner of the world.

Stories That Move Us

From Kenya, The Max Foundation shared the story of Esther, a mother diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy. Her fight is not just for herself—but for her child’s future.

SIOP Europe raised awareness around the early signs of autoimmune diseases and childhood cancer, emphasizing the need for provider education and stronger systems.

Patient advocate Zuzana Santamaria amplified her voice for gynecologic cancer awareness, while Hadieh Eslampanah showcased how corporate partnerships in Iran are building better cancer care infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Oncogene Cancer Research warned of the rising tide of lung cancer in women, calling for urgent investment in research and detection.

Photo from Oncogene Cancer Research/X

The Heart of the Message

At its core, World Health Day 2025 was a global reminder that healthcare must be designed for the people, with the people.

We must move from fragmented care to compassionate systems, from surviving to thriving, from reactive to preventive, from exclusivity to equity.

Because health isn’t a privilege for the few—it’s a right for all.

Let’s carry this message beyond a single day. Let’s build systems where everyone, from a newborn baby to a cancer survivor, has a real chance at a healthy, hopeful future.

“Don’t let the hard days win. Health is your right. And together, we’ll fight for it.”

Your voice matters. Explore more of OncoDaily’s content for World Health Day 2025, and join us in spreading awareness, hope, and action.

By: Md Foorquan Hashmi, MD, Sr. Editor, OncoDaily: India Bueura