World Health Day

World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on 7 April.

Under the sponsorship of the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as other related organisations.

In 1948, the WHO held the First World Health Assembly. The Assembly decided to celebrate 7 April of each year, with effect from 1950, as the World Health Day. The World Health Day is held to mark WHO's founding and is seen as an opportunity by the organisation to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year. The WHO organises international, regional and local events on the Day related to a particular theme. World Health Day is acknowledged by various governments and non-governmental organisations with interests in public health issues, who also organise activities and highlight their support in media reports, such as the Global Health Council.

WHO uses the anniversary of their founding day not only as an opportunity to celebrate the organisation and its work but also as an opportunity to highlight a current global health priority.

For each World Health Day, WHO designates a health challenge or theme. Previous years themes have included:

• Road Safety (2005)

• Shape The Future Of Life (2003)

• Protecting Health From Climate Change (2008)

• International Health Security (2007)

• Anti microbacterial Resistance: No Action Today No Cure Tomorrow (2011)

The theme for 2012 World Health Day was 'Ageing and Health'. As with other years themes, this theme is set in accordance with what WHO regards as current health issues within the world. The world's population is ageing; people are living longer.

WHO provides a toolkit to event organisers which includes the materials such as:

• ageing and health information

• advice on how to engage with the media and use social networks to promote the day

• a list of technical and communication support contacts

• clearly defined messages and calls to action

• information on how to plan and run events and campaigns

The slogan for 2012 World Health Day is: 'Good Health Adds Life To Years'. This slogan helps reflect the WHO message that when people improve their health they enjoy fuller lives without the burden of health complications such as pain or disability, remain productive for longer and continue to contribute more to society.

A key message of this day is that older people in good health are a valuable resource and should be valued.

Theme Of 2022:

Our planet, our health

What can you do to protect our planet and our health?

Governments:

• Prioritise long-term human wellbeing and ecological stability in all decision-making.

• Prioritise wellbeing in all businesses, organisations, social and ecological goals.

• Keep fossil fuels in the ground. Stop new fossil fuel exploration and projects and implement policies on clean energy production and use.

• Stop fossil fuel subsidies. Re-invest fossil fuel subsidies in public health.

• Tax the polluters. Incentivize carbon reduction.

• Implement the WHO air quality guidelines.

• Electrify health care facilities with renewable energies. 

• Reduce air pollution levels to reduce the burden of disease from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma. 

• Tax highly processed foods and beverages high in salt, sugars and unhealthy fats.

• Implement policies to reduce food wastage.

• Repurpose agriculture subsidies towards sustainable and healthy food production.

• Build cities with green spaces that promote physical activity and mental health.

• Take the pledge! Adopt WHO’s green manifesto.

• Tobacco pollutes the planet and our lungs.  Create smoke free cities and tax tobacco.

• Devise policies on waste and plastic reduction.

• Integrate mental health and psychosocial support with climate action and policies to better prepare for and respond to the climate crisis.

• Work together with community leaders that include representatives of refugees and migrants on mitigation and adaptation measures of climate change and support initiatives led by refugee and migrant communities at local level.

Corporations:

• Switch off lights after working hours.

• Support teleworking when possible.

• Remove highly processed and packaged foods from the workplace.

• Reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of your activities.

• Protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is healthy and sustainable food for babies.

• Ensure safe water is accessible for workers.

Health workers and health facilities:

• Support efforts to reduce health care waste.

• Provide sustainably grown local food and ensure healthy food choices by reducing sodas and highly processed and packaged food in health facilities.

• Decarbonize health facilities.

• Identify opportunities to save energy.

• Ensure safe clean water at health facilities.

• Support purchase of environmentally friendly products that are easily recyclable or reusable.

• Advocate for health to be at the centre of climate change policies

Mayors promote: 

• Promote energy efficient buildings. 

• Engage low-carbon public transport.

• Build new bike lanes and footpaths. 

• Protect biodiversity and create new parks and gardens.

• Switch to renewable energy for municipal operations.

• Ensure low-income households and health care facilities have access to clean, affordable energy.

• Partner with the local business community to support sustainability. 

• Regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages in public spaces.

Individuals:

• Share your story: our planet, our health. 

• Raise your voice and demand climate actions to protect your health. 

• Take action, inspire others” – join our five-point plan: 

• Walk or pedal to work at least one day a week. Choose public transport.

• Change to a renewable energy provider; don’t heat your rooms over 21.5C; turn off the light when not in the room.

• Buy your fresh groceries from local producers and avoid highly processed foods and beverages. 

• Tobacco is a killer and a polluter. Stop consuming tobacco. 

• Buy less plastic; use recyclable grocery bags.

World Health Day 2023, The Event Begins In 196 Days Time