Complex Global Challenges

The examples below illustrate the complex and far-reaching nature of today’s global challenges impacting health.

Climate Change, Environment and Biodiversity

Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting ecosystems affect health and cause, amongst other factors, heat-related mortality and illnesses, respiratory and mental diseases, allergies, and the increase of infectious outbreaks. Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss disrupt ecosystems, driving species migration and increasing human-wildlife interactions that can lead to zoonotic diseases. Such impacts deepen food insecurity, displacement, inequities and economic instability, exacerbating global inequities.

Pandemics and Emerging Diseases

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in healthcare systems worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for stronger global preparedness, resilient infrastructures, and equitable access to care. Meanwhile, deforestation, wildlife trade, and intensive agriculture increase the risk of zoonotic spillovers, while weak healthcare systems and global travel accelerate disease transmission—reinforcing the need for coordinated, proactive solutions.

Socioeconomic Inequalities

Health disparities are shaped by income, education, and employment. These inequalities limit access to healthcare, healthy living conditions, and opportunities for disease prevention, creating cycles of disadvantage.

Food Security and Nutrition

Malnutrition—both undernutrition and obesity—is driven by food systems, agricultural policies, and economic structures. Climate change, soil degradation, and unsustainable food production threaten access to nutritious food, while industrial agriculture and deforestation disrupt ecosystems and biodiversity. Poor diets—whether from food scarcity or overconsumption of processed foods—fuel global health crises, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Urbanization and Changing Lifestyles

Rapid urban growth drives overcrowding, pollution, and shrinking green spaces, harming both physical and mental health. At the same time, sedentary lifestyles fuel the rise of non-communicable diseases, while increased human-wildlife interactions in urban areas heighten the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

Antimicrobial Resistance

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human medicine, veterinary care, and industrial farming accelerate drug resistance, making infections harder to treat. Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to both human and animal health, with resistant bacteria spreading through water systems, food production, and global trade.

Misinformation, Disinformation and Trust in Science

The spread of false or misleading health information weakens public trust in science, affecting vaccine uptake, adherence to public health measures, and evidence-based policy decisions. Cyber threats, including misinformation and disinformation campaigns, amplify these challenges by spreading false narratives rapidly through digital platforms. This contributes to the resurgence of preventable diseases, delays in responding to global health threats, and a fragmented societal response to crises.

War, Conflicts, and Displacement

War and conflicts devastate healthcare systems, displace populations, and heighten physical and mental trauma, increasing vulnerability to disease, malnutrition, and long-term health impacts. The destruction of infrastructure and medical facilities leads to preventable deaths due to lack of access to essential care. Environmental destruction from warfare contaminates water, food supplies, and ecosystems, exacerbating health crises and contributing to lasting planetary degradation. The loss of life, both immediate and long-term, extends beyond the battlefield, affecting generations through disrupted healthcare, economic instability, and psychological trauma.

Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights

Weak governance, political instability, and human rights violations erode health equity by restricting access to healthcare, education, and social protection. Corruption and poor policies exacerbate public health crises, while environmental mismanagement accelerates resource depletion and ecosystem collapse.

Real–World Complex Global Challenges In Yemen

Illustrating the complex interplay between climate change, conflict, food insecurity, health crises, and misinformation.

Climate Change & Food Insecurity
  • Over 17 million Yemenis facing acute food insecurity: According to the United Nations, over 17 million people in Yemen cannot afford sufficient food to meet their daily needs. ​World Health Organization (WHO) / Shia Waves
  • Agricultural challenges due to climate change: Yemen’s agriculture sector supplies only 15-20% of its staple food needs, despite being the backbone of Yemeni livelihoods. Factors such as major pest outbreaks and more frequent droughts and floods have steadily eroded the country’s agricultural assets. ​World Bank Group
War, Displacement & Socioeconomic Inequalities
Malnutrition & Disease Vulnerability
  • Widespread malnutrition: More than 17.3 million Yemenis are food insecure, with hunger and malnutrition among the most pressing challenges in Yemen today. ​UNDP
  • Cholera outbreak with over 2.5 million cases: Between 2016 and 2022, Yemen faced the largest cholera outbreak in recent history, with over 2.5 million suspected cases and 4,000 deaths. ​UNICEF / The United Nations in Yemen /Human Rights Watch
Misinformation, Distrust in Science & Health
  • Vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreak: In November 2021, Yemen reported cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), highlighting challenges in vaccination efforts. ​BioMed Central / World Health Organization (WHO) / OCHA
  • Efforts to combat vaccine misinformation: Yemen has been working to establish a misinformation management taskforce to effectively manage polio vaccine misinformation. ​GPEI-Homepage