What's the State of Global Health Amid War and Medical Breakthroughs?

The world of healthcare is at a crossroads, with the devastating impact of war on Ukraine's healthcare system contrasting sharply with the promising breakthroughs in medical technology. As the conflict in Ukraine enters its fifth year, the country's healthcare infrastructure is under immense pressure, with attacks on healthcare facilities increasing by nearly 20% in 2025 compared to the previous year.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been at least 2881 attacks on healthcare in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war in February 2022. These attacks have not only harmed healthcare workers and patients but also disrupted the delivery of essential medical services, exacerbating the already dire health needs of the population. A WHO assessment conducted in December 2025 found that 59% of people in frontline areas reported their health as poor or very poor, compared to 47% in non-frontline areas.

Meanwhile, in the world of medical research, scientists are making significant strides in the development of "digital twins" – AI-driven replicas of individual patients that can be used to predict and prevent diseases. This technology, hailed as the "holy grail of preventative health," has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach healthcare. By combining advances in genomics, patient outcomes, and drug performance, researchers are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in preventative medicine.

However, the pursuit of medical breakthroughs is not without its challenges. A recent controversy surrounding Harvard geneticist George Church has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in medical research. Church's acceptance of donations from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has sparked a furor, with many questioning the ethics of accepting funding from questionable sources.

As the medical community navigates these complex issues, there is a growing recognition of the need for physicians to become more vocal advocates for their patients and for the healthcare system as a whole. In an opinion piece, Sarah C. Nosal, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, argued that physicians are "by nature and necessity, advocates" and that it is time for a new era of advocacy in the medical profession.

As the world grapples with the challenges of war, medical breakthroughs, and ethics, one thing is clear: the state of global health is complex and multifaceted. While there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of healthcare, there are also significant challenges that must be addressed. As we move forward, it is essential that we prioritize transparency, accountability, and advocacy in the pursuit of better health outcomes for all.

Sources:
- STAT+: Jeffrey Epstein’s tissue samples ignited a furor in the Harvard lab of George Church
- STAT+: Digital twins, the holy grail of preventative health, are still only a ‘Frankensteinian proof of principle’
- Opinion: It’s time for a new era of advocacy for physicians
- Attacks on Ukraine’s health care increased by 20% in 2025