The publication of Health at a Glance: Asia/Pacific 2024 comes at a pivotal moment in our region’s health journey. As we emerge from the shadow of the COVID‑19 pandemic, we find ourselves in a landscape forever altered, yet filled with opportunities for transformative change.

On 5 May 2023, upon the recommendations of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID‑19), the Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO) determined that COVID‑19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). By then, countries in Asia/Pacific had endured millions of cases and deaths attributed to COVID‑19 and administered billions of vaccine doses. By the close of 2022, many countries in the region, based on the fourth round of the Pulse survey on continuity of essential health services during the COVID‑19 pandemic (November 2022 – January 2023), were showing partial signs of health service recovery. However, the path to full recovery remains uncertain, requiring us to carefully examine the latest data to identify and address key health-related priorities in need of policy actions to curtail a prolonged impact of the pandemic.

The 2024 edition of Health at a Glance: Asia/Pacific presents over 50 indicators linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting that recovery from COVID‑19 and progress remains uneven. While we celebrate the overall increase in life expectancy across the region since 2010, we must also confront the persistent disparities between countries as well as within countries. A gap of over 10 years in life expectancy at birth between the best and worst performing countries is not just a statistic – it represents millions of lives cut short and opportunities lost. This disparity, along with the inequalities in child mortality rates within countries, calls for renewed commitment to addressing social determinants of health and ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare.

We are encouraged by the reduction in out-of-pocket health expenditures in many countries in the region, particularly in low- and lower-middle‑income nations. However, the fact that in some countries, individuals still bear more than half of their health costs out-of-pocket is a reminder of the work that remains to be done to achieve true financial protection in healthcare.

Our examination of cancer prevention and early diagnosis efforts reveals both progress and persistent challenges. The higher mortality rates for breast and cervical cancers in our region, despite lower incidence rates in many cases, highlight the critical need for improved screening programmes and early intervention strategies.

Good mental health is fundamental to individuals’ health and well-being through the life course and a basic human right. This year’s report shed new light on mental health, a crucial yet often overlooked issue. The pandemic has worsened mental health conditions across the region, amplified by socio‑economic stresses, public health emergencies, humanitarian challenges including forced displacements, and the growing climate crisis. Alarmingly, mental, neurological, and substance use disorders, alongside self-harm, account for a quarter of the years lived with disability in our region. This serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to prioritise mental health services and support.

As we look to the future, we see both opportunities and challenges. The lessons learned from the pandemic – in telemedicine, home‑based care, health worker support, supply chain management, community engagement, and public-private partnerships – provide a foundation for innovation and improvement in our health systems. By focusing on these areas, and by placing a particular emphasis on mental health and equitable access to care, we can accelerate progress towards long-term system recovery, resilience, and preparedness. To seize those opportunities, the path forward requires sustained commitment, appropriate funding, and evidence‑informed policies.

This report serves not just as a snapshot of our current health landscape, but as a call to action. It challenges us to build on our successes, learn from our setbacks, and work collaboratively towards a healthier, more equitable future for all in the Asia-Pacific region.

As we move forward, let us carry with us the lessons of resilience and solidarity learned during the pandemic. Together, we can build health systems that not only withstand future crises but actively promote the well-being of every individual in our diverse and dynamic region.

Saima Wazed,

Regional Director,

WHO Regional Office for South‑East Asia

Saia Ma’u Piukala,

Regional Director,

WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific

Stefano Scarpetta,

Director,

Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, OECD