Today is World Health Day. It marks the founding of the World Health Organization [WHO] and is an occasion to raise awareness of key global health issues. This year's theme is international health security. The aim of the day is to urge governments, organizations and businesses to "Invest in health, build a safer future."WHO Document Is Informative Tool for Gobal Health Awareness Activities
"Invest in Health, Build a Safer Future" is a WHO background document that profiles international health security issues to guide discussions and stir debate. It is an informative tool for health awareness activities around the world.
Issues profiled include emerging and rapidly spreading diseases; environmental change; the ongoing danger of bioterrorism; sudden and intense humanitarian emergencies caused by natural disasters, chemical spills or radioactive accidents; and the impact of HIV/AIDS.
Emerging diseases, such as SARS and avian influenza, humanitarian emergencies, health risks from effects of climate change or environmental degradation, and other acute health threats can all be defined as public health emergencies.
International health security is the first line of defence against health shocks that can devastate people, societies and economies worldwide. Implementation of the International Health Regulations [IHR] from June 2007 will help to build and strengthen mechanisms for outbreak alert and response at national and international levels, and contribute to making the world more secure.
WHO expects that events highlighting international health security will be organized by government officials [including ministers of health], representatives of nongovernmental organizations, health care providers, educators, students, representatives of women's and children's organizations, the media, and members of the public.
Locally, regionally, nationally and globally, WHO aims to empower groups to spread the following messages regarding global health security:
Threats to health know no borders.
In a globalized world, emerging epidemics cross national borders and threaten our collective security. Threats to health and security are multiplying and moving faster than ever before.
Invest in health, build a safer future.
Every country must invest in health and build its capacity to prevent new and existing threats by strengthening public health systems. Only then can we build a safer future. Implementation of the International Health Regulations [IHR] from June 2007 will help to build and strengthen effective mechanisms for outbreak alert and response at national and international levels.
Health leads to security; insecurity leads to poor health.
HIV/AIDS is a powerful example of how interdependent health and security have become. HIV/AIDS threatens the stability of entire nations and regions. Unlike many other diseases, AIDS affects the most productive members of society. Protecting the health of people and the security of all those affected requires political commitment at the highest level and close collaboration between governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector.
Preparedness and quick response improve international health security.
Threats to health security are many and varied; they include sudden shocks to health and economies from emerging diseases, like SARS and avian influenza, humanitarian emergencies, bioterrorism and other acute health risks. Tackling the health effects of these threats involves working collectively to improve preparedness and to respond effectively when they occur. The shortage of safe drinking water and its impact on health and security after Hurricane Katrina, and the tsunami in Asia, clearly demonstrate the importance of advance preparation and the ability to respond quickly.
The World Health Organization is making the world more secure.
The security of all countries depends on the capacity of each to act effectively against health threats. WHO's response to severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS] and avian flu clearly demonstrated the power of coordination and the importance of international health security. International collaboration among developed and developing countries, and increased focus on information-sharing and the strengthening of public health systems and surveillance, are key to containing outbreaks of infectious diseases. The threats remain; we must continue to invest and build. WHO’s leadership is essential.
About WHO
The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health. It was established on April 7, 1948. WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in WHO's Constitution as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
WHO is governed by 193 Member States through the World Health Assembly. The Health Assembly is composed of representatives from WHO's Member States. The main tasks of the World Health Assembly are to approve the WHO programme and the budget for the following biennium and to decide major policy questions.
For more information, see "Working for Health: An Introduction to the World Health Organization."
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