World Health Day is observed on April 7. It was on that date in 1948 that the World Health Organization (WHO) was established, with the aim of promoting health and ensuring that all people around the world can achieve the highest possible level of health and well-being.
Major health advances since the creation of the WHO
In 1948, three years after the end of World War II, the Constitution of the World Health Organization came into force—a treaty through which the nations of the world recognized that health was not only a fundamental human right but also an indispensable aspect of peace and security.
Over the past seven decades, extraordinary progress has been made in protecting people from disease and death, including the eradication of smallpox, a 99% reduction in the incidence of polio, the saving of millions of lives through childhood immunization, a decline in maternal mortality, and improvements in the health and well-being of millions of people.
Together for Health: Stand with Science
This year’s World Health Day theme is “Together for Health: Stand with Science.” On this day, the WHO calls on people around the world to support science.
This year’s celebration marks the launch of a campaign that highlights the power of scientific collaboration to protect the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet. The campaign emphasizes both scientific achievements and the multilateral cooperation needed to turn evidence into action.
This commemoration calls on authorities, scientists, health workers, and the general public to:
- Support science by committing to evidence, facts, and science-based guidance to protect health.
- Rebuild trust in science and public health.
- Support science-based solutions for a healthier future.
“One Health”
“One Health” is an integrated and unifying approach proposed by the United Nations, which aims to balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems in a sustainable manner.
This approach recognizes that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the environment as a whole (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent.
While health, food, water, energy, and the environment are broad topics with sector-specific concerns, collaboration across sectors and disciplines helps protect health, address health challenges such as the emergence of infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food security, and promote the health and integrity of our ecosystems.
By linking humans, animals, and the environment, “One Health” can help address the full spectrum of disease control—from prevention to detection, preparedness, response, and management—and contribute to global health security.
