From October 9th to 11th, Italy hosted the G7 Health Summit in Ancona, bringing together health ministers from the G7 countries—Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the UK, and the US— and the EU Commission along with representatives from guest nations such as Albania, Brazil, India, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia, as well as international organizations like the FAO, WHO, and OECD. The summit provided a platform to address global health challenges and set key priorities for the future of healthcare.

Within this platform, global leaders set the stage for future health policy, identifying key priorities that will shape international strategies in the coming years. In the final Declaration, the G7 nations reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating progress toward the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among the most critical topics discussed were universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness, healthy aging, and the adoption of the “One Health” approach, which emphasizes the interconnected relationship between human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health.

A major focus of the discussions was the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, which was thoroughly examined in a dedicated Policy Brief. Leaders expressed optimism about AI’s ability to revolutionize medical diagnostics, improve disease prevention, and ensure broader access to care. However, they also highlighted significant risks associated with AI, such as bias, data privacy concerns, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities, stressing the need for strong governance frameworks to guarantee ethical and equitable implementation.

Another central issue on the agenda was antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci called a “true pandemic.” Responsible for over a million deaths annually, AMR poses a serious global health threat, prompting leaders to call for stronger international cooperation. The summit’s focus on AMR underscored the urgency of coordinated global action, with an emphasis on enhanced surveillance, prudent antimicrobial use, and the development of new treatment strategies.

The G7 Health Summit in Ancona thus marked a crucial turning point for global health policy, with leaders tackling urgent challenges like AI’s integration into healthcare and the growing threat of AMR. The discussions highlighted both the opportunities for innovation and the need for caution as these initiatives move forward. The real test, however, will be whether the commitments made in Ancona result in concrete, actionable outcomes and lasting measures that deliver on the ambitious promises laid out during the summit.

The summit resulted in the agreement of two main documents: a final Declaration and a policy brief on AI, from which several key conclusions emerged:

1. Global Health Architecture and Pandemic Preparedness

The G7 emphasized the importance of pandemic preparedness by reaffirming its commitment to the Pandemic Fund, aiming to raise $2 billion in new pledges over the next two years. This fund will play a pivotal role in diversifying regional vaccine and medical countermeasure production, ensuring equitable access to critical resources during future health crises. The leaders also highlighted the significance of supporting Africa’s pharmaceutical sector, with a goal of locally producing 60% of vaccines by 2040.

The summit reiterated its commitment to eradicating diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria by 2030, and stressed the need to tackle the impact of climate change on infectious diseases like cholera and dengue. Strengthening healthcare systems globally, advancing universal health coverage (UHC), and investing in workforce training were key areas of focus.

2. Promoting Healthy Aging and Lifelong Prevention

A core component of the agenda is meant to promote healthy aging through preventive healthcare. This approach requires addressing social, economic, and environmental determinants of health, particularly for vulnerable groups. The ministers called for a comprehensive strategy that includes encouraging healthier diets, increasing physical activity, and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Vaccination was once again highlighted as a key preventive measure in maintaining public health.

Digital and AI technologies were also discussed as critical tools for modernizing healthcare systems, enabling equitable access, and fostering innovation across healthcare ecosystems. By harnessing the potential of these technologies, G7 nations aim to provide more efficient and accessible healthcare services.

3. One Health Approach

Combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

The One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health, was a central focus at the G7 Health Summit, particularly in addressing AMR. Minister Schillaci’s strong remarks underscored the urgency of the issue: “AMR is a silent enemy that threatens to undo many of the advances modern medicine has made. It is an emergency, a true pandemic, and we must face it together.”

To reinforce Italy’s leadership in the fight against AMR, Schillaci announced a €21 million commitment to Carb-X, a global nonprofit partnership focused on developing new antibiotics. His strategy to combat AMR hinges on a dual approach of “push” incentives to foster research and innovation, and “pull” incentives to make the antibiotic market more viable and attractive. He also highlighted plans to tap into existing funds for innovative medicines to support AMR solutions without increasing financial strain.

AMR, which results in over one million deaths annually, poses a serious global health threat, affecting countries worldwide, particularly low- and middle-income nations. The One Health strategy was emphasized as a key solution, requiring the implementation of well-funded National Action Plans (NAPs) that prioritize AMR management across sectors. Strengthening surveillance and ensuring responsible antimicrobial use through stewardship programs are critical. These efforts, alongside international collaboration and the sharing of best practices, are essential to effectively combat AMR and prevent its further impact on global health and food security.

By integrating ongoing education, promoting equitable access to diagnostics and treatments, and investing in research and development, the G7 summit highlighted the importance of a comprehensive, unified response to AMR. This multifaceted approach aims to support sustainable markets for both existing and new antimicrobials, ultimately safeguarding global health.

Climate Change: A Pressing Health Crisis

The G7 also acknowledged the pressing health impacts of climate change, particularly on marginalized populations, including rural and minority groups. With projections suggesting that climate change could lead to over 21 million additional deaths
by 2050, urgent action is needed to strengthen public health systems, address climate-sensitive diseases, and invest in climate adaptation measures.

There was a strong emphasis on creating climate-resilient, equitable, and low-carbon health systems by 2050. Additionally, the G7 reaffirmed its commitment to halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, with a call for a Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare – Opportunities and Risks

The G7 leaders also dedicated attention to the growing role of AI in healthcare, crafting a special policy brief to address both the opportunities and risks that AI presents in this field. They acknowledged AI’s potential to transform healthcare by improving diagnostic and therapeutic methods, personalizing treatment, and enhancing operational efficiency. AI could streamline workflows, accelerate drug discovery, and enhance data-driven decision-making, ultimately leading to better healthcare outcomes.

However, the policy brief also highlighted the challenges associated with AI in healthcare, including concerns over bias, data privacy, and cybersecurity. AI systems need to be trained on diverse datasets to prevent biased results, especially for underrepresented populations. There are also significant risks related to data privacy and the need for robust governance frameworks to ensure ethical and secure AI implementation.

The G7 reaffirmed their commitment to promoting AI adoption while addressing these concerns. They pledged to advance data standardization, foster international cooperation, and launch education campaigns to boost AI literacy. In doing so, they aim to harness AI’s potential while ensuring patient safety, equity, and trust in healthcare systems.