Shaping the WHO Disability Health Equity Network
We are proud to be part of the foundational committee that helped to shape the new WHO Disability Health Equity Network. The network launched at WHO Headquarters in Geneva in November 2025 and brings together governments, academics, and civil society leaders to tackle the profound health inequities faced by persons with disabilities.
We are co-chairing one of the network’s four workstreams on building leadership on health equity among persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, in partnership with the International Disability Alliance.
Why this matters
Around 1.3 billion people worldwide have a disability.
On average, they die up to 20 years earlier than people without disabilities and face higher rates of illness – not because of their disability, but because of unfair and avoidable barriers in and beyond health systems.
People with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities are among the most affected.
These gaps are not inevitable. They can be closed – and this network is a real chance to do it.
Why leadership matters across the whole network
Leadership by people with disabilities isn’t just Workstream 1’s job. It needs to run through everything the network does – political priorities, health system reform, research and data.
Nothing about us without us isn’t a slogan here; it’s how real change happens. And that has to include the voices too often left out, like people with intellectual disabilities.
Why DSi is part of this
Our recent Our Say in Our Health report with Humanity & Inclusion gathered the experiences of more than 750 people across over 100 countries.
It made one thing clear: people with Down syndrome and their families have a lot to say about their health, and the world has not been listening well enough.
Being part of the foundational committee, and co-chairing Workstream 1, is our chance to help change that – and to make sure the network delivers for the people who need it most.
Learn more about our health work:
Inclusive health
Everyone has the right to good healthcare. This means no one should be treated unfairly because of who they are.
People with Down syndrome do not always get the healthcare they need. This is not fair.