Winners of this year's Global Health Leaders Awards were announced at the opening session of the World Health Organization (WHO) 75th Annual Meeting in Geneva from May 22nd. Beginning in 2019, the award will be awarded to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to promoting global health, demonstrate leadership, and address community health issues.

This year, a total of six people, including Mr. Yohei Sasakawa of The Nippon Foundation, were selected as the winners of the award.

Mr. Sasakawa has held positions such as WHO Hansen's Disease Control Goodwill Ambassador and Japan's Hansen's Disease Human Rights Awareness Ambassador, and has been fighting social discrimination and prejudice against Hansen's disease for over 40 years. It was praised for his pioneering guidance in public interest activities.

Click here for information and details of other winners