Speaking up for science is also defending patient safety. In clinical practice, good safety practices are grounded in the best available scientific evidence. Numerous evidence-based activities are implemented every day by healthcare professionals such as reviewing and optimising treatments, individualising preventive strategies, and refining problem lists by removing unnecessary diagnoses. In addition, scientific evidence supports the appropriate management of uncertainty by applying strategies of watchful waiting and monitoring the evolution of non-specific symptoms. Regarding patient involvement, findings from primary care research promote shared decision-making and improve health literacy, so that informed patient decisions contribute to safe, high-quality care and to improved health outcomes globally.
Supporting science through concrete actions involves making prudent decisions, carefully weighing the individual benefit–risk balance, and avoiding unnecessary interventions or those without proven benefit. In this respect, primary care —by virtue of its continuity, proximity, and knowledge of patients’ contexts— is the ideal setting in which to apply these evidence-based principles that strengthen patient safety in everyday practice.
In the current turbulent global context, the United Nations health agency highlights that conflicts have a direct impact on health: they weaken health systems, hinder continuity of care, and increase the vulnerability of people living with chronic conditions. The stability of health systems and patient safety also depend on structural factors such as equity, accessibility, and continuity of care, all of which are directly affected by conflicts.
Peace is therefore an essential determinant of both health and science. In stable contexts, it is more feasible to ensure access to healthcare services, continuity of care, follow-up of chronic conditions, implementation of preventive measures, and the continuity of scientific research to further improve global health. Without these conditions, healthcare itself ceases to be safe. This day is also an opportunity to recognise the work of health professionals operating in contexts of conflict and crisis, where they continue to provide care under particularly challenging conditions and ensure the protection of the most vulnerable populations through evidence-based interventions.
On this World Health Day, three fundamental commitments of Family and Community Medicine to global health and patient safety should be reaffirmed:
- Commitment to science, to guide prudent and safe decision-making.
- Commitment to people, by adapting care to their needs and context.
- Commitment to peace, as the foundation of resilient, safe, and continuously learning health systems.
Health grounded in scientific evidence is a right—and so is peace: together, they enable healthcare that is safe, of high quality, and truly person-centred.
+ info:
World Health Day 2026: Together for Health – Stand with Science.
Health and peace: evidence and global reports on health in conflict settings.
Astier Peña MP. April 7, World Health Day 2026: "Together for health. Stand with science". [Internet]. Sano y Salvo. Patient safety blog in primary care. [April 6, 2026; accessed April 6, 2026]. Available from: https://sano-y-salvo.blogspot.com/2026/04/april-7-world-health-day-2026-together.html
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