Geneva, Switzerland: The World Health Organization (WHO) has made new country-comparable data on childhood cancer survival available through its Global Health Observatory, covering five-year survival estimates for children and adolescents with lymphoid leukaemia across 194 countries.

The dataset, developed under the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC), uses a common methodology to provide a standardized baseline for tracking progress, identifying gaps and supporting national cancer control planning.

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WHO estimates that around 400,000 children and adolescents develop cancer each year. While many childhood cancers can be treated successfully, survival varies significantly between countries and is closely linked to access to timely diagnosis, essential medicines and quality cancer care.

According to the new analysis, survival in high-income countries has reached around 80–90%, while some settings with weaker health systems report rates closer to 40%. Adolescents aged 15–19 also face wider survival gaps compared with younger children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

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“Childhood cancer is one of the clearest indicators of health system performance,” said Dr Roberta Ortiz, Childhood Cancer Medical Officer in the WHO Cancer Programme. “When governments invest in universal health coverage inclusive of childhood cancer, survival improves dramatically.” The economic case underscores the need to invest in childhood cancer as a best buy for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases including cancer.