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Panel Presentations

Care Equity, Quality, and Safety

What's Happening in the World of Otolaryngology?: Otolaryngology-Related Health Policy at The World Health Organization

Sunday, October 12, 2025
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
Location: 121-122
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Otolaryngology diseases contribute significantly to the global health burden, with hearing loss ranking as the fourth leading cause of disability and head and neck cancers imposing an estimated economic burden of $535 billion from 2018 to 2030. In addressing this challenge, global health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) play a pivotal role in shaping policies that influence disease prioritization, resource allocation, and funding—ultimately affecting patient care worldwide. For clinicians caring for patients with head and neck diseases, understanding how global public health policies are shaped and the areas most relevant to otolaryngology is essential.

This panel will provide an overview of otolaryngology-related policies and active initiatives at WHO and highlight head and neck care providers who have worked with the WHO. Insight will be provided by otolaryngologists who currently work at the WHO and academic leaders who have engaged with WHO initiatives. Attendees will gain an understanding of what otolaryngology diseases are on the global agenda and experiences working on otolaryngology-related health policy at an international level.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Identify otolaryngology-related diseases that are aligned with initiatives at the World Health Organization.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Understand the role of the World Health Organization and other global health organizations in shaping otolaryngology health policies and strategies.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Learn actionable strategies for clinicians to engage with international organizations addressing otolaryngology care.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Health policy at the global level influences the care of our patients. Understanding these dynamics will bring a broader perspective to clinicians worldwide. This panel is also timely with the announcement of a U.S. executive order to leave the WHO.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement :

    Moderator(s)

  • Mary Jue Xu, MD

    Assistant Professor
    University of California - San Francisco
    San Francisco, California, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Panelist(s)

  • Carolina Der, MD, PhD

    Technical Officer Ear and Hearing Care Programme
    World Health Organization
    Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • JS

    James E. Saunders, MD

    Professor
    Dartmouth Hitchcock Med Ctr
    Lebanon, NH, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Moderator(s)

  • Gregory J. Basura, MD, PhD

    Professor
    University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
    Pittsburgh, PA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.