Opening Statement:
Celebrated on April 7, the World Health Organization has chosen to select and highlight wellness and the medical world. Ranging from mental health to insurance and everything in between, on this day will set the unity for what is to come all around the world. There will be a spotlight this year dedicated to raising awareness about critical health issues facing the world and mobilizing efforts to address them. The theme for World Health Day 2024, "Global Action for Universal Health,". This theme will emphasize the importance of universal health coverage and the collective action needed to ensure health and well-being for all, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
History Of World Health Day
· To talk about World Health Day, we need to talk about the creation of the World Health Organization as a whole. In December 1945, officials of Brazil and China proposed the creation of an international health organization, that is all-encompassing and solely independent from any government powers.
· Half a year later, in New York, in July 1946, the constitution of the World Health Organization was approved. Said constitution entered into force on April 7, 1948, as 61 countries signed in agreement for the inception of the NGO.
· As one of the first official acts of WHO, they created the celebration of World Health Day. It was first observed on July 22, 1949, but the date was later changed to April 7, the establishment of WHO, to encourage student participation.
· Since 1950, the Worth Health Day uses a different theme and theme each year selected by the current WHO Director-General, based on the suggestions of the member governments and staff.
· World Health Day provides a global opportunity to focus attention on important public health issues that affect the international community. Promotional programs are launched that continue for a long time after April 7 on this celebrated awareness day.
World Health Day Timeline
· 1945 - An Organization Is Born
At the United Nations Conference in San Francisco, a motion to create a new and independent organization dedicated to discuss health topics was passed.
· 1948 - Setting the Date
April 7 is designated as World Health Day in the First Health Assembly to celebrate the creation of WHO.
· April 7, 1950 - It’s Official
The first World Health Day is celebrated.
· April 7th, 1998 - 50 Rounds
On the 50th anniversary of WHO, World Health Day tackles the topic of safe motherhood.
Traditions Of the Day
· Since its inception, health issues and access to healthcare have been greatly campaigned for by people all over the world-on-World Health Day. The World Health Organization has a different theme every year for this day, which is highlighted in schools, seminars, workshops, and discussion forums. The day is all about creating awareness for the health issues of the needy and the less fortunate in poor regions around the world, as well as reminding us to be grateful for our health and to better take care of ourselves.
· Outdoor activities like hiking and bicycling are organized, as well as charity drives and fundraisers. Mental health is often most neglected and, owing to our stressful lifestyles, it’s very important nowadays. Therefore, mediation and therapy are greatly encouraged. Of course, you are what you eat, so the meals of the day and restaurant promotions are all about maintaining a balanced diet.
It Is All in The Numbers
· 70% – the percentage of social and healthcare workers who are women.
· 100 million – the number of people who survive on $1.90 or less a day.
· 800 million – the number of people who spent a good portion of their household budget on healthcare in 2017.
· 20.6% – the percentage of adults in America who experienced serious mental illness in 2019.
· 6.6 million – the number of children around the world who die due to weak healthcare systems.
· 800 – the number of women who die every day due to pregnancy complications.
· $8.4 billion – the number of dollars spent on Halloween in 2018, which is more than what the world spends on combating malaria.
· 5 years old is the average age of children in Zambia who die due to malaria.
· 2195 – the number of children around the world who die from diarrhea.
· 10.2 million is the number of people in America who suffer from mental health and addiction disorders.
What Can I Do to Help on World Health Day?
Volunteer at your local charities and organizations. You can also become a blood or bone marrow donor. But overall, take measures to stay healthy and be courteous to your medical professionals.
How To Observe World Health Day
· Organize A Conversation in Your Community
WHO offers free information toolkits for organizers. Take the challenge and lead a conversation in your community about a current healthcare issue.
· Read Up on Past Year's Themes
With over 50 years of health days in the archives, it can be an interesting exercise to look at how far — or not — we have come in healthcare. You might learn something interesting and relevant even from older information.
· Why World Health Day Is Important
World Health Day inspires action on a global scale World Health Day is one of WHO's eight official global health campaigns. The day sparks awareness activities and media reports.
· It's A Chance to Learn Something New
By choosing a different theme each year, World Health Day ensures that we are always learning! WHO picks each year's subject based on a current pressing health issue and dedicates the week to conferences and activities about the topic.
· It Brings Us Together
World Health Day can also be an important day to reflect on your own health. Conversation can help reduce stigma associated with illness and lead to more people seeking support and treatment.
Closing Statement:
Everyone should be concerned on what is the best way to make sure we don’t get sick and to stay healthy. The answer is simple…listen to your body! Make sure you are getting enough physical activity, sleep, and eating healthy. Additionally, if you’re ever in doubt, always consult a healthcare professional and make a yearly wellness visit as part of your routine to stay healthy and to be proactive. Make sure YOU Take Care of YOU!
One of the past themes for World Health Day was, we celebrated our nurses and midwives, the on-call workforce that developed the healthcare industry as we know it today. With that theme, together we shined a light on the vital role played by nurses and midwives in providing health care around the world. Advocacy events were held around from one end of the world to the other. It was in 2020, that launched the first-ever State of the World’s Nursing Report, which provided planning to optimize the contributions of the nursery workforce, with a similar report on the Midwifery workforce that was also launched in 2021.
Source of Information: Various Google Searches and Printed Publications
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!
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