The next pandemic
COVID-19 was associated with about 14.9 million excess deaths in 2020–2021. The world has since adopted a Pandemic Agreement, but readiness remains uneven.
How this affects people
New infectious diseases emerge when pathogens jump from animals to people, then spread fast through a connected world.
Surveillance, rapid sharing of samples and data, fair access to vaccines and resilient health systems decide whether an outbreak stays local or becomes a pandemic.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Spillover from wildlife and livestock
- 02Deforestation and wildlife trade
- 03Global travel
- 04Underfunded public-health systems
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Outbreaks continue to test systems
Mpox, avian flu and other outbreaks keep surveillance under pressure.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
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