World Health Day – April 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency which has the goal of promoting healthy lives for all through campaigns and collaborative work across the globe.

We know that our health and well-being are key factors to living a happy life, and this has been highlighted in recent years by a global pandemic.

Building a healthier and safer world where everyone can access the healthcare that they need is hugely important and WHO strives to achieve equality and accessibility of healthcare for everyone.

The WHO was founded on 7 April 1948 which is marked by World Health Day and each year WHO shines a spotlight on a particular health topic of concern.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the WHO and this World Health Day we look back at successes in the health service during this time and some key actions that could help to tackle today’s health challenges. The key messages include:

1. Accessible healthcare for everyone
2. The importance of skilled healthcare professionals to provide quality care
3. Leaders and policymakers need to meet universal health coverage commitments and we need to hold these leaders accountable. “[This]?means that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need when and where they need them, without financial hardship” – Link
4. The impact and setbacks that COVID-19 has had on health goals
5. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the primary health care approach. “Primary health care is a whole-of-society approach to effectively organize and strengthen national health systems to bring services for health and wellbeing closer to communities” – Link

Check out the infographic below for an overview of WHO and World Health Day 2023!

More information on World Heath Day topics can be found here: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day