Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director, WHO Department for HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections
My message to the young and the young at heart
Today is International Youth Day, a moment to celebrate the vision, courage, and remarkable contributions that you make to our world. They bring fresh perspectives, an unshakable drive to turn ideas into action, and a steadfast commitment to building inclusive and sustainable communities. This year’s theme: Local youth actions for the SDGs and beyond, honours how you are translating global ambitions into meaningful change right where you live.
At WHO, we call on you to continue to help us advance Health for All and confront some of the most pressing infectious diseases of our time, tuberculosis (TB), HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These diseases continue to claim millions of lives, and you are stepping up to become champions of health, equity and change.
Through bold initiatives like the WHO’s 1+1 Initiative, more than 90 000 of you have already joined the fight against TB, showcasing the extraordinary power of youth-led advocacy to spark action, shift policies, and save lives. Young people like yourselves, especially those of you who are medical students, researchers, and advocates are shaping decisions that determine the health of entire communities and are breaking down the stigma that keeps too many from seeking care.
Today, I call on you for your continued support in combating TB, HIV, hepatitis and STIs. Here’s what you can do:Raise awareness: talk to your peers, networks, and communities about TB, HIV, hepatitis, and STIs.
- Stay informed: use WHO’s knowledge-sharing platforms to keep up with the latest guidance and resources for prevention, testing, and treatment.
- Challenge stigma: speak out against discrimination so that everyone feels safe seeking care.
- Be vocal: use your voice, online and offline, to demand stronger responses and keep these health issues in the public eye.
- Be creative: transform global commitments into tangible youth-led actions that address the complex drivers of TB, HIV, hepatitis, and STIs, and move us closer to ending these epidemics and achieving universal health coverage.
You are the heartbeat of progress. The world needs your leadership, your ideas, and your courage to make Health for All a reality. Together, we can build a healthier, fairer, and safer future for all.
