World Health Day (WHD), celebrated annually on April 7, marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, and each year focuses on a specific public health issue. In addition to focusing on the path to achieving health for all, which is this year’s theme, WHO will celebrate its 75th anniversary under the theme 75 years of improving public health.
WORLD HEALTH DAY HISTORY
To talk about World Health Day, we need to talk about the creation of the World Health Organization as a whole. In December 1945, Brazilian and Chinese officials proposed the creation of an international, global, and completely independent health organization from any governmental power.
Six months later, in New York, in July 1946, the constitution of the World Health Organization was approved. This constitution came into force on April 7, 1948, when 61 countries signed an agreement to start the NGO.
As one of WHO’s first official acts, they created the World Health Day celebration. It was first noted as July 22, 1949, but the date was later changed to April 7, WHO setting, to encourage student participation.
Since 1950, Health Worth Day has used a different theme and theme each year selected by the current WHO Director-General, based on suggestions from member governments and staff.
World Health Day provides a global opportunity to focus attention on important public health issues affecting the international community. Promotional programs are launched on World Health Day and continue well beyond 7 April.
World Health Day 2023 theme
This year 2023, the theme of World Health Day is “Health for All”, which includes equitable access to good quality health services in all regions with little or no financial risk.
All major world religions emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy body and mind, which is also central to the tenets of many traditional medical schools and their respective practitioners. Health, as defined by WHO, is a state of complete mental, emotional and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or disability. Several countries have included this type of right to health in their constitution.
