Launch of the Defeating Meningitis Roadmap

Despite successful efforts to control meningitis in several regions, meningitis continues to be a major public health issue. It kills about 300 000 people annually, and leaves 1 in 5 of those affected with long-term devastating sequelae. It is also a significant health security concern. Meningitis epidemics can strike fast, are unpredictable and cause massive disruption to communities and health-systems. For these reasons, WHO, in collaboration with partners and experts involved in meningitis prevention and control, has developed the first global roadmap that sets forth a vision and strategy to defeat meningitis by 2030. This roadmap includes three visionary goals: to i) eliminate epidemics of bacterial meningitis ii) reduce cases of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis by 50% and deaths by 70% and iii) reduce disability and improve quality of life after meningitis of any cause. About the event To support implementation of the Roadmap and achievement of its ambitious targets, WHO, in collaboration with other key stakeholders involved in meningitis prevention and control, will organize its official launch. The event will be virtual and live-streamed on this page. Programme and speakers The programme will be further developed in the coming weeks. It will include the following:

• Keynote address by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
• Presentation of the Defeating Meningitis by 2030 global roadmap
• Case stories around the three visionary goals
• Inputs from meningitis patient and families groups
• Commitments to defeat meningitis by 2030

  This page will be updated with registration information nearer to the event.