Measuring survival, driving change: advancing equity through the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer

Overview

Marked disparities in childhood cancer survival reflect one of the most significant global health inequities, with outcomes closely linked to the strength of health systems and access to quality care. This report examines progress under the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, established to address these gaps and improve survival worldwide. It describes the epidemiology and distinctive characteristics of childhood cancers, outlines the global burden, and analyses persistent inequalities through a scoping review and newly developed country-comparable five-year survival estimates for lymphoid leukaemia across 194 Member States.

The document highlights critical challenges, including limited availability of high-quality population-based data and systemic barriers affecting timely diagnosis, treatment access and continuity of care. It outlines the CureAll framework as a structured approach to strengthening health systems, supporting national planning, and guiding implementation, monitoring and evaluation. By linking improved data availability with policy action, it illustrates how countries can better assess performance and target interventions. The report underscores the importance of sustained investment, strengthened surveillance systems and coordinated multisectoral action to support progress towards the global target of increasing childhood cancer survival to at least 60% by 2030 while reducing inequities in outcomes.