Context:
Recently, World Health Day (WHD) was observed on 7th April.
More on the news
World Health Day is observed to raise awareness about global health issues and highlight the importance of well-being.
- It was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 and has been celebrated every year since then.
- The year 2024 marks the 76th anniversary of WHO and as a part of the celebration WHO has chosen ‘My Health, My Right’ as the theme of World Health Day 2024 which focuses on the fundamental human right: access to quality health care, education and information .
- This year’s theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.
World Health Organisation (WHO)
- It is an autonomous organisation founded in 1948 that works under the United Nations (UN) to promote health-related issues globally.
- World Health Assembly (WHA) is WHO’s decision-making body.
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
- India became a party to the WHO on 12 January 1948.
- The South-East Asia Region is one of the six regions of the World Health Organization.
- Headquartered in New Delhi, India.
Significance
- The celebration has aimed to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization.
- It teaches people, organisations and governments how to address global health issues as a part of the UN’s sustainable development goals.
- The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution.
- WHO Council on the Economics of Health For All (established on 13 November 2020) aims to reframe health for all as a public policy objective and ensure that national and global economies and finance are structured in such a way to deliver on this ambitious goal.
History of World Health Day (WHD)
- The origin of WHD goes back to 1948 when the First Health Assembly was held by the organisation, where it was decided to commemorate April 7, also the founding date of WHO, as World Health Day.
- The main goal of the United Nations is to promote worldwide peace, security, and better living conditions for everyone.
Four strategic priorities of WHO in India’s Health
