World Patient Safety Day
17 September 2026
The 2026 edition of World Patient Safety Day focuses on addressing one of the major health concerns affecting billions of people and accounting for 74% of deaths worldwide, namely noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Noncommunicable diseases are long-term conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, that can affect people of all ages and often require ongoing care throughout life. Addressing NCDs is a global priority, reflected in the United Nations political declaration on NCDs and mental health, which calls for strengthened prevention and long-term management of NCDs. Achieving these commitments requires access to safe and quality care.
Globally, 1 in 10 patients is harmed during health care, with around half of this harm being considered preventable. People living with NCDs are particularly vulnerable to harm due to the long-term nature of their conditions, ongoing treatment needs and frequent interactions with health systems. This repeated exposure increases the likelihood of harm over time. With some conditions, such as cancer, up to 1 in 3 patients experience adverse events during care. Many people also live with multiple chronic conditions, further increasing the risk of harm.
World Patient Safety Day 2026 is, therefore, focusing on safe care for noncommunicable diseases, under the slogan ‘Safe care for life!’. It calls for multisectoral and multi-stakeholder action to ensure that no one is harmed while receiving care for NCDs.
Campaign key messages
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This risk is driven by the long-term and complex nature of NCDs, health system challenges such as fragmented care and broader factors that affect access to safe care, such as poverty and discrimination.
Safety risks can arise at every stage, from prevention, early detection and diagnosis to treatment and long-term management, across health care settings, homes and communities.
Strengthening primary health care, supporting health workers and addressing barriers that affect access to safe care through multisectoral action, are key to reducing harm.
Meaningful engagement, learning from people with lived experience and supporting health literacy reduces harm and leads to safer, better-quality care.
Light up a monument
On 17 September, iconic landmarks, buildings and public spaces around the world will glow orange in support of World Patient Safety Day 2026. Together, these illuminations highlight a shared commitment to making care safer for people living with noncommunicable diseases, wherever they receive care and throughout their lives.
This year, WHO will illuminate the iconic Jet d’Eau in Geneva as part of the global campaign.
Join the worldwide wave - light up the night in orange for safe care for life!