The 18th World Congress on Public Health (WCPH) 2026

Overview

The 18th World Congress on Public Health (WCPH 2026) is a premier global event that unites public health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to address pressing global health challenges, exchange knowledge, and shape the future of public health. The WCPH is held biennially by the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA). The 18th World Congress on Public Health (WCPH 2026) is organized in collaboration with the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA). It will occur in Cape Town with over 2,000 expected delegates in attendance.

This congress is a premier international forum for exchanging insights on critical public health challenges, advancing sustainable and equitable public health worldwide. As the first WCPH hosted in Southern Africa, it allows African citizens to engage in global health conversations and collaborations.

This Congress theme, “Health without Borders: Equity, Inclusion, and Sustainability” emphasizes our unwavering commitment as a global public health community to envision and implement fair and practical solutions for our world’s complex challenges.

Date & venue

• Dates: 6 – 9 September 2026
• Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa

Call for abstracts

Abstract Submission Opens on September 1, 2025 and closes on November 30, 2025. Discover the tracks of the 18th World Congress on Public Health, designed to highlight key issues, innovations, and collaborative solutions shaping the future of global public health:

• Adults & Older Adults Health
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Climate Change, Environmental, One Health and Urban Health
• Communicable Diseases
• Decolonisation of Public Health
• Digital Health, Health Information, AI and cybersecurity
• Education and Training
• Health Determinants, Sustainable Health Equity and SDGs
• Health Promotion and Universal Health Systems
• Health Systems Strengthening
• Hygiene & Sanitation – including Clean Water and Hospital Hygiene
• Indigenous Views on Health
• Integrative, Complementary and Traditional Health Practices
• Maternal & Adolescent & Child Health – including women’s health rights
• Mental Health & Social Wellbeing
• Minorities, Diversity & Inclusion – including Migrants, Refugees, LGBTQ
• Non-Communicable Diseases – including Cancer, CVD, Obesity, Oral Health
• Pandemic Prevention & Preparedness
• Political Determinants of Global Health, Health Governance and Global Collaborations
• Public Health Advocacy, Policy, and Diplomacy
• Public Health Communication – including health disinformation
• Public Health Ethics & Law
• Public Health in Emergencies and Disasters
• Public Health in Wars and Disasters
• Public Health Leadership and Workforce
• Public Health, Governance, Politics and Economics
• Research, Theories, and Methods in Public Health
• Social Security & Social Protection – including Health Insurance, Occupational Health, Injuries, Accidents
• Surveillance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting – including HIA, HTA and Registries
• Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) and Vaccine Confidence
• Other

Key dates

• Early Bird Rate: 1 September 2025 – 30 April 2026
• Regular Rate: 1 May – 31 July 2026
• On-Site Registration: From 1 August 2026
• Abstract Submission Opens: September 1, 2025
• Abstract Submission closes: on November 30, 2025

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