Halfway to 2030
Now is the time for government action to defeat meningitis. With concerted action, we can save lives and protect futures.
What is the Race to 2030?
In 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched the Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030. We’ve created Race to 2030 to help you engage with this action plan and be part of global efforts to defeat the disease.
More than anything, it’s critical that people with personal experience of meningitis are at the centre of change.
More than anything, it’s critical that people with personal experience of meningitis are at the centre of change.
Now is the time for action
Organisations and individuals around the world have already played an essential role in the Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030. They’ve pushed their governments for progress, contributed to national plans for defeating meningitis, and delivered World Meningitis Day each year.
2030 is within our sights, and you can help us get over the finish line.
Knowledge hub
Get all the tools you need to be part of the race to defeat meningitis by 2030. You'll find our latest research, downloadable quick-reads and toolkits, online training and case studies.
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About the WHO's Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030
The World Health Organization (WHO) has created a global plan to transform the way we prevent, diagnose and treat meningitis with the goal of defeating meningitis by 2030. This plan also sets out to improve disease monitoring, communication, aftercare and support.
If achieved, the Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030 could save the lives of up to 200,000 people each year and eliminate bacterial meningitis epidemics.
- End bacterial meningitis epidemics,
- Reduce cases of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis by 50%, and deaths by 70%,
- Reduce disability and improve quality of life after meningitis.
WHO developed the Road Map with input from people affected by meningitis, scientists, health experts, governments and civil society organisations, like us. In 2020, WHO presented the Road Map at the World Health Assembly, where Member States voted to support it by passing a resolution (WHA73.9). This means that each country endorses the goals of the Road Map and commits to taking the actions set out within it.
The plan focusses on the main causes of bacterial meningitis (meningococcus, pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae and group B streptococcus). Bacterial meningitis is the deadliest form of meningitis, with the World Health Organization estimating that around 1 in 6 people who get it will die.
2019: Road Map development and stakeholder consultation.
2020: Approval at the World Health Assembly.
2021: Publication of the Global Road Map.
2022: Publication of a framework for the implementation of the Road Map in the WHO African region.
2024: Launch of the WHO’s investment case for defeating meningitis by 2030 at their first high-level meeting to defeat meningitis and publication of a framework for the implementation of the Road Map in the Americas Region.
2025: Publication of a framework for the implementation of the Road Map in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the South East Asia region.
November 2025: Mid-point of the Road Map.
Advocacy news
Governments call for funding to defeat meningitis
Global health leaders met in Geneva for the annual World Health Assembly – a chance to discuss progress and priorities.
“We are gathered here to launch a milestone”
The WHO shone a spotlight on meningitis with their regional framework to defeat meningitis by 2030 in the Eastern Mediterranean.