Source: qnet-india.in
The World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on the 7th of April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO).
In 1948, the WHO held the First World Health Assembly. The Assembly decided to celebrate 7th April of each year, with effect from 1950, as the World Health Day. The World Health Day is held to mark WHO’s foundation. It is seen as an opportunity by the organization to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year. The WHO organizes international, regional and local events on the Day related to a particular theme. World Health Day is acknowledged by various governments and non-governmental organizations with interests in public health issues, who also organize activities and highlight their support in media reports, such as the Global Health Council. World Health Day is one of eight official global health campaigns marked by WHO.
The theme for the 2016 World Health Day celebration was “Beat Diabetes”. The disease is rapidly increasing in numbers in many countries, most dramatically in low and middle-income countries. The WHO estimates about 422 million people in the world have diabetes, which was the cause of some 1.5 million deaths. The goals of WHD 2016 were to scale up prevention, strengthen care, and enhance surveillance
The theme for the 2017 World Health Day celebration will be “Depression: Let’s Talk” which aims to mobilize action on depression. This condition affects people of all ages, from all walks of life, in all countries. It impacts on people’s ability to carry out everyday tasks, with consequences for families, friends, and even communities, workplaces, and health care systems. A better understanding of depression will help reduce the stigma associated with the illness, and lead to more people seeking help.