The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new report titled The Future of Paediatric Clinical Trials – Setting Research Priorities for Child Health, outlining a comprehensive global research agenda to bridge evidence gaps and improve health outcomes for children aged 0–9 years.
The report responds to WHO’s Guidance for Best Practices for Clinical Trials (2024), which called for greater inclusion of under-represented groups such as children in clinical research. Despite advances in child health, many children—especially in low- and middle-income countries—still suffer from preventable illnesses due to a lack of child-specific clinical evidence.
Developed through an extensive consultative process, the agenda involved over 380 experts, researchers, and national health leaders. They contributed more than 650 research questions, later refined into 172 priority areas across infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases, newborn health, early childhood development, and nutrition. The agenda emphasizes feasibility, scalability, and equity in future clinical research.
Dr. Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Department of Science for Health, said: “This research agenda offers governments, partners and research institutions a clear direction for investment. By identifying where evidence is most needed, it creates an opportunity to coordinate resources and foster collaboration to address the highest-burden areas affecting children today.”
Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing, highlighted the importance of long-term support: “Establishing research priorities is only the first step. Strategic and sustained funding will be critical to move these priorities forward. This agenda provides a shared roadmap that donors and partners can use to align investments, support national needs and ensure that research leads to real improvements in child health.”
The report also stresses the need for regional collaboration, integration of research into national health systems, and coordinated financing to strengthen institutional capacity for multi-country trials.
WHO will continue working with Member States and partners to implement this agenda, foster collaboration, and mobilize resources to ensure that future clinical research reflects the diverse needs of children worldwide.