Experts Warn of Global Unpreparedness for Future Pandemics

Geopolitical tensions, resource shortages, and lack of international cooperation hinder efforts to address emerging health crises.

Health experts caution that the world is no better prepared for pandemics now than it was five years ago, with some arguing conditions may have worsened due to geopolitical instability.
The U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization under President Trump has raised concerns about diminished global health collaboration and resource sharing.
New threats, such as the H5N1 avian flu, show potential for pandemic-level outbreaks, with mutations increasingly adapting to humans, though human-to-human transmission remains limited for now.
Germany faces significant challenges in pandemic readiness, including severe shortages in healthcare staffing, incomplete updates to national pandemic plans, and a lack of sufficient medical reserves.
Experts emphasize the need for better international coordination, transparent communication, and sustained investment in public health infrastructure to mitigate future crises.