World Health Day

Context

April 7 every year is celebrated as World Health Day all over the world.

 History of World Health Day

• In 1948, WHO held the First World Health Assembly. 
• The Assembly decided to celebrate 7 April of every year, with effect from 1950, as World Health Day.

What is the Significance of the Day – April 7?  

• The World Health Organisation was established on April 7, 1948, and the day is seen as an opportunity by the organisation to attract international interest/consciousness to a subject of major importance to global health every year. 
• For example, from addressing the importance of mental health (in 2017) to highlighting the link between climate change and health (2022), the day has been a status platform to address all health-associated issues in this changing world.

What are the Concerns Raised by the WHO?  

• Around the world, the right to health of millions is increasingly coming under threat. 
• Diseases, disasters and conflicts loom huge as reasons of death and disability. The burning of fossil fuels is simultaneously driving the climate crisis and eliminating the right to respire clean air, with indoor and outdoor air pollutants claiming a life every five seconds.

What is the Theme of World Health Day 2024? 

• It is ‘My Health, My Right’ – championing the rights of anybody, anywhere to have access to quality health service, education and information.

World Health Organization

• • The United Nations’ specialised agency for Health was founded in 1948.
  • Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • There are 194 Member States, 150 country offices, and six regional offices.
  • It is an inter-governmental agency  and works in collaboration with its member states commonly through the Ministries of Health.

• Objectives:

• • • To act as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work.
    • To establish and hold effective collaboration with the United Nations, specialised companies, governmental health administrations, expert groups and such other groups as can be deemed appropriate.
    • To provide help to the Governments, upon request, in strengthening health services.
    • To promote cooperation among scientific and expert organizations which make contributions to the advancement of health.

• Governance:

• • World Health Assembly (WHA)
    • WHA is WHO’s decision-making body attended with the aid of delegations from all of WHO’s member states,
    • It is held yearly in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board remains the focus of this assembly.
• Reports: World Health Statistics, World Health Report, Global Tuberculosis Report, Global Health Observatory (GHO) data, Global Hepatitis Report, Global Report on Diabetes, Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health etc.

Source: The Indian Express

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Q.What is the theme of the ‘World Health Day’ 2024?

a. My Health is my Right

b. Health is Wealth

c. My Health, My Right

d. Importance of Health and the Rights

Ans – “c”

 

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