Changes are afoot in global health.
The leaders of some of the biggest global health institutions are stepping down by the end of 2026 or spending their last full year in their current positions. They include officials from The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Unitaid; and the World Health Organization. At some of these institutions, the process for recruiting or selecting the next leader is already underway.
These changes come amid a pivotal time for the sector as it navigates foreign aid cuts and growing calls for fundamental change in how global health operates. The Accra Reset — launched in 2025 — calls for a retooling of global governance for health and development, one that is rooted in national ownership and equitable cooperation. The U.S. “America First” global health strategy also presents a key shift in the way U.S. global health assistance works.