Colgate-Palmolive has announced a four-year collaboration with the WHO Foundation to support the World Health Organization’s work on oral health. According to the company, the funding is intended to expand oral health education, support the integration of oral health into national health systems, and increase recognition of oral health as a public health priority.
According to the company, oral diseases are among the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases worldwide, affecting approximately 3.7 billion people. The collaboration is positioned within the World Health Organization’s broader efforts to address gaps in prevention, education, and system-level integration of oral health services.
“At Colgate-Palmolive, we are driven by our purpose to reimagine a healthier future for all – and to make more smiles. We’re launching this collaboration with the WHO Foundation given its unique position to support global health challenges and Colgate’s leadership position in oral health as the brand that’s in more homes than any other,” said Ram Raghavan, president, enterprise oral care, Colgate-Palmolive. “Oral health is a critical – and too often overlooked – part of the global health agenda. We are committed to elevating oral health as a public health priority by scaling prevention and education and supporting evidence-based solutions that help strengthen health systems and improve lives across communities around the world.”
According to the company, the initiative builds on Colgate’s long-standing oral health education efforts, including the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached approximately two billion children and their families globally since 1991.
The company noted that oral health remains underprioritized in many health systems, with disparities influenced by economic status, education, health literacy, and access to care. According to the information provided, poor oral health in children can contribute to pain, emotional challenges, and educational difficulties, including reduced concentration and increased absenteeism.
Through the collaboration, Colgate and the WHO Foundation are supporting the World Health Organization in addressing barriers affecting about half of the global population. According to the association, the effort is designed to help integrate oral health into broader public health agendas and national health systems.
“The WHO Foundation supports WHO’s mission by mobilizing private funding in support of public health priorities,” said Anil Soni, chief executive officer of the WHO Foundation. “Oral health plays an essential role in overall health, and progress depends on long-term investment in prevention, trusted guidance, and strong health systems. Support like this helps enable WHO’s work to advance oral health and improve health outcomes for communities around the world.”
According to the organizations, the collaboration focuses on three areas: integrating oral health education and prevention into existing government infrastructure such as school health systems, supporting research to inform evidence-based and cost-effective national policies, and increasing awareness through global and cross-sector engagement.
The announcement comes as oral health has been included as a public health priority in the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases at the Fourth United Nations High-Level Meeting, with Member States calling for action. According to the company, the collaboration aligns with this recognition by emphasizing prevention, policy development, and awareness of the connection between oral health and overall health and wellbeing.
More information is available at www.colgatepalmolive.com and who.foundation.
