Geneva, Switzerland, 2025 – The World Well being Group (WHO) has launched a brand new technical report, The way forward for paediatric medical trials – setting analysis priorities for little one well being, presenting a worldwide analysis agenda designed to deal with crucial gaps in proof that inform insurance policies, medical tips and programmes for youngsters aged 0–9 years. This work follows the decision from WHO’s Steering for finest practices for medical trials (2024) for a better concentrate on inclusion of under-represented populations in medical trials, together with youngsters, to make sure that analysis higher displays the variety of populations affected by well being situations globally.
Regardless of main advances in little one well being over the previous twenty years, progress has not been equitable, and preventable diseases proceed to trigger important morbidity and mortality amongst youngsters, significantly in low- and middle-income nations. Kids stay under-represented in medical trials, leading to gaps in proof that’s instantly relevant to their wants. This analysis agenda has been developed to assist tackle these gaps by figuring out precedence questions the place medical trials can generate the best public well being influence, assist nationwide decision-making and enhance outcomes for youngsters in danger.
The agenda was developed via an inclusive and systematic course of involving international specialists, nationwide programme leaders, researchers, and neighborhood representatives. Greater than 380 stakeholders contributed 653 analysis questions, which have been refined via knowledgeable overview and prioritization to supply a ultimate record of 172 medical analysis priorities spanning infectious illnesses, noncommunicable illnesses, new child well being, early childhood improvement and diet. The agenda is designed to be sensible and action-oriented, with a powerful emphasis on feasibility, scalability, and equitable influence.
Commenting on the publication of the report, Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Division of Science for Well being, famous that the agenda gives a basis for aligning analysis efforts with public well being wants. “This analysis agenda gives governments, companions and analysis establishments a transparent path for funding. By figuring out the place proof is most wanted, it creates a chance to coordinate assets and foster collaboration to deal with the highest-burden areas affecting youngsters as we speak.”
Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Division of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Little one, Adolescent Well being and Ageing, and UN Particular Programme in Human Replica (HRP) emphasised the significance of inclusive and sustained funding. “Establishing analysis priorities is barely step one. Strategic and sustained funding might be crucial to maneuver these priorities ahead. This agenda gives a shared roadmap that donors and companions can use to align investments, assist nationwide wants and be certain that analysis results in actual enhancements in little one well being.”
Along with figuring out precedence analysis questions, the report highlights the significance of regional collaboration, integration of analysis inside nationwide well being techniques, and the strengthening of institutional capability to assist multi-country trials. It additionally underscores the necessity for coordinated financing approaches to speed up implementation and be certain that analysis investments are directed towards areas with the best potential for influence.
WHO will proceed to work with Member States and companions to facilitate the appliance of this agenda, promote dialogue throughout sectors, and mobilize assets for precedence analysis. WHO encourages Member States, analysis establishments, companions and funding businesses to make use of this agenda as a instrument to information strategic planning, mobilize assets and assist collaborative motion. By addressing these gaps, the proof generated might be introduced into a lot wanted and doubtlessly uncared for areas for WHO tips and insurance policies. By specializing in shared priorities and selling equitable inclusion, the agenda goals to make sure that future analysis addresses the wants of all youngsters, together with those that have traditionally been left behind.
