World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7th April. This is a global occasion celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of the WHO ( World Health Organization ).
WHO’s 75th anniversary year is an opportunity to look back at public health successes that have improved quality of life during the last seven decades. It is also an opportunity to motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today ̶ and tomorrow.
World Health Day
Health is not just about eating healthy, according to World Health Organization (WHO). It is also about how the world can come together to help everyone live a long and healthy life. World Health Day is observed to educate people, spread awareness about health issues, new medicines, research and ensure healthcare facilities are accessible to everyone, everywhere.
This day reminds people to take notice of their health and make improvements to lead a quality life. World Health Day marks an occasion for the organization to discuss global health each year. This day is an opportunity for WHO to draw everyone’s attention toward their well-being.
World Health Organization observes ‘World Health Day’ every year on April 7 across the globe to remind people that health is the biggest asset. This day is observed to spread awareness about both physical and mental health that can help people improve their lifestyle for a happy life.
The history of World Health Day dates back to 1948 when the WHO held its first World Health Assembly. During this assembly, the WHO decided to establish an annual event to raise awareness about global health issues and promote healthy living. The first World Health Day was celebrated on April 7, 1950, and since then, it has been celebrated every year on the same day.
On this day, people from all over the world come together to celebrate good health and well-being. It is an occasion to remind ourselves of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
World Health Day 2023
This year on 7th April’2023, the World Health Organization will celebrate it’s 75th Birth Anniversary. Every year, World Health Day is marked with a unique theme. The theme of World Health Day 2023 is “Health for All”. This theme is in line with the thought that health is a basic human right and everyone must have access to the health services they need when and where they need without facing any financial hardships.
WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded on 7th April in 1948. WHO is the United Nations agency that is responsible for international health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.
The headquarter of WHO is situated in Geneva, Switzerland. It was designed by Swiss architect Jean Tschumi and inaugurated in 1966. It has six regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide.
The current Director-General who was appointed on 1st July’2017 is Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia. The term of the Director General lasts for five years, and directors-general are typically appointed in May, when the Assembly meets.
The WHO works on three objectives as below:
1 – Working worldwide to promote health
2 – Keeping the world safe
3 – Serve the vulnerable
The WHO has played a leading role in several public health achievements, most notably the eradication of smallpox, the near-eradication of polio, and the development of an Ebola vaccine.
Its current priorities include communicable diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS, Ebola, COVID- 19, malaria and tuberculosis; non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and cancer; healthy diet, nutrition, and food security; occupational health; and substance abuse. Its World Health Assembly, the agency’s decision-making body, elects and advises an executive board made up of 34 health specialists. It selects the director-general, sets goals and priorities, and approves the budget and activities.
The WHO employs 7,000 people in 149 countries and regions to carry out its principles. In support of the principle of a tobacco-free work environment, the WHO does not recruit cigarette smokers.
Regional Offices of the WHO
| Region | Headquarters | Website |
| Africa | Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo | AFRO |
| Europe | Copenhagen, Denmark | EURO |
| South-East Asia | New Delhi, India | SEARO |
| Eastern Mediterranean | Cairo, Egypt | EMRO |
| Western Pacific | Manila, the Philippines | WPRO |
| The Americas | Washington, D.C., United States | AMRO |
WHO Ambassadors
Ambassadors are well-known personalities from the worlds of arts, literature, entertainment, sport or other fields of public life who commit to contribute to WHO‘s efforts to raise awareness of important health problems and solutions.
They ( WHO Goodwill Ambassadors ) are appointed by the Director-General for two years at a time.
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