World Health Day is an initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the overall health and well-being of people across various countries in the world. It is celebrated on the 7th of April every year. Its purpose is to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight priority areas of concern for the WHO.
World Health Day is celebrated to mark WHO’s founding. WHO held the first Health Assembly in 1948. This Assembly decided to celebrate the 7th of April each year as World Health Day with effect from 1950.
Over the years, this has thrown light on important health issues such as diseases, maternal health, and child care. Its focus is to create worldwide attention on these important aspects of global health. The WHO puts together regional, local and international events which are held on this day related to the specified theme.
Each year focuses on different themes. The theme for 2020 was ‘Support nurses and midwives. People around the world spent the day thanking these frontline workers battling the COVID 19.
The theme for 2021 is ‘Building a fairer, healthier world’. Most of the countries have experienced rapid economic growth, migration, and urbanization. It has created better lives for some and most are left behind. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed more people into poverty, food insecurity, reduced chances of better healthcare facilities, and social and gender inequalities. People across the world have less or no access to safe environments, clean air, and water. This has led to unnecessary suffering and deaths which has harmed economies and society.
This is quite unfair, but preventable.
“WHO is committed to ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can realize the right to good health.”
WHO is seeking the support of world leaders to ensure that everyone has living and working conditions that are conducive to good health. It is urging leaders to track health inequalities and ensure that people have access to quality health services when and where they need them.
What can you do?
As you know, celebrating World Health Day is important. A small contribution from you can make a big difference to the people around the world. Each one can take a hand in improving the overall health of the world. Just start with yourself, your family, and your community.
Here are some steps you can follow:
- Be a volunteer and know about this year’s theme
- Raise awareness about this important issue by planning activities in your community or near your house. Spread the news of the importance of health and threats associated with being unhealthy.
- You can organize fundraisers to support local clinics and other public health centers.
- Do this every year
- Be a part of promoting global health all around.
Take care of yourself too!
You can take some extra steps to care for your health. On this day, try to get a gym membership and start going regularly. Start a healthy diet or regular exercise. Make a resolution to have nutritious food and to walk every day. Download the Joyscore app to get more tips on being healthier and happier.
