WORLD HEALTH DAY
World health day is celebrated on April 7 every year. It is an initiative taken by the World Health Organization(WHO) to raise awareness about the overall health and well-being of people across the world. The first World Health Day was celebrated and observed in 1950 , after 7 April was set aside as a designated date to celebrate the creation of World Health Organization(WHO)in 1948 in first Health Assembly. The day thereby marks the anniversary of WHO after it was establish in 1948.
The theme for this year’s World Health Day is Our Planet, Our Health. Amid the ongoing pandemic and pollution growing on the planer, diseases like cancer, asthma and heart diseases are increasing rapidly. World Health Organization aim to focus global attention on the urgent actions needed to “keep humans and the planet health” and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being.
WHO estimates that more than 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable environmental causes. This includes the climate crisis which is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. The climate crisis is also a health crisis.
Over 90% of people breathe unhealthy air resulting from burning of fossil fuels. A heating world is seeing mosquitoes spread diseases farther and faster than ever, land degradation and water scarcity are displacing people and affecting their health. pollution and plastics are found at the bottom of our deepest oceans, the highest mountains, and have made their way into our food chain. Systems that produce highly processed, unhealthy foods and beverages are driving a wave of obesity, increasing cancer and heart disease while generating a third of global greenhouse gas emissions.
While the COVID-19 pandemic showed us the healing power of science, it also highlighted the inequities in our world. The pandemic has revealed weakness in all areas of society and underlined the urgency of creating sustainable well-being societies committed to achieving equitable health now and for future generations without breaching ecological limits. The present design of the economy lead to inequitable distribution of income, wealth and power, with too many people still living in poverty and instability. A well-being economy has human well-being equity and ecological sustainability as its goals. These goals are translated into long-term investments, well-being budget, social protection and legal fiscal strategies. Breaking these cycles of destruction for the planet and human health requires legislative action, corporate reform and individuals to be supported and incentivized to make health choices.
How Do We Celebrate World Health Day?
- Organize a day of different physical activities.
- Promote healthy eating habits.
- Engage in meditation for mental health.
- Practice yoga for mental and physical health.
- Teach kids about the importance of personal hygiene.
- Create a World Health Day campaign.
How can you contribute to World Health Day?
- Join us in celebrating World Health Day.
- One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these non-profits is to donate to them via payroll deduction, through employer’s workplace.
World Health Day can also be an important day to reflect on your own health.