Vanessa Kerry, Director, Global and Climate Policy, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, shared on LinkedIn:
“I am honored to have been appointed today by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as the Director-General’s Special Envoy for Health Resilience.
In 2023, when I was appointed Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health, it was with the acknowledgement that climate change was accelerating a health crisis and together we would drive global recognition and action and integrate health into climate action.
That work isn’t over. It’s grown.
And the challenges we face in 2026 are scaling.
Global health funding has fallen sharply as governments cut back foreign assistance, while countries face mounting pressures from climate change, disease outbreaks, conflict and the return of preventable diseases.
The answer: investing in resilient health systems able to deliver care day-to-day and hold when a shock hits.
This isn’t a new acronym, a new initiative or a new approach. It’s investing in the fundamentals.
Because health resilience is what underpins everything from universal health coverage, climate resilience, pandemic preparedness, and health and human security to thriving communities and global stability.
For me, this appointment reflects almost 15 years with Seed Global Health team, alongside governments and partners to strengthen health systems by investing in the people who save lives. It affirms the country-led approach we have long championed and brings that vision to one of the world’s most important global health platforms.
I am looking forward to continuing my work with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization, and partners to drive awareness, develop solutions, and build consensus for action, so that everyone, no matter where they were born, has access to quality health care.
I look forward to continue working with many of you on this critical agenda.”
Dr Vanessa Kerry appointed to new role as WHO Director-General’s Special Envoy for Health Resilience
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