World Health Day, celebrated each year on April 7, marks the founding anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 and each year focuses on a specific public health concern. In addition to focusing on ways to achieve Health for All, which is this year’s theme, WHO celebrated its 75th anniversary under the theme “75 years improving Public Health”.
In 1948, countries around the world came together to establish the WHO to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so that everyone, everywhere, can achieve the highest level of health and well-being. WHO’s 75th anniversary year is an opportunity to look back on public health successes that have improved quality of life over the past seven decades. It is also an opportunity to motivate action to address the health challenges of today and tomorrow.
Join the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the WHO on this journey to achieve Health for All.
The Director of PAHO/WHO, Dr Jarbas Barbosa, recorded a video in which he highlights the 75th anniversary of the WHO on the occasion of World Health Day 2023, highlighting the advances in public health achieved in these more than seven decades, which have improved the quality of people’s lives and the lessons learned, also recognizing the challenges that still lie ahead. Health for All, emphasizes Dr Barbosa, is the great objective that PAHO and WHO have been seeking over all these years, and in his view, much has already been done. However, he points out, the deep inequalities in the Americas region are persistent and have been exacerbated by the covid-19 pandemic. During the crisis, health services were interrupted and there was an overload of emergency care for patients affected by the coronavirus infection. There was also a shortage and inequity in access to vaccines and treatments. It is necessary, according to the Director, to create resilient health systems that can withstand emergency situations and continue to operate. Primary health care is presented as the strategy capable of articulating promotion, prevention, surveillance, and care measures for the most prevalent health problems in communities. More than ever, Health for All is a call to reaffirm the commitment to Primary Health Care to build resilient systems, in addition to being a call to redouble efforts to make this happen. On behalf of PAHO, concluded Dr Barbosa, “I reiterate our commitment to Member States and our support to achieve Health for All People”.
PAHO organized a webinar entitled “Health for all people: strengthening primary health care to build resilient health systems”, broadcast live on April 5, which was attended by Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO, Dr James Fitzgerald, HSS/PAHO Director, and Health Ministers from the region, including Dr Nísia Trindade Lima, Brazil’s Health Minister. The full program is available and the recording of the webinar can be watched on the PAHO YouTube Channel.
BIREME takes part at the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the WHO, as it maintains technical cooperation activities with the WHO for a long time. Projects such as ePORTUGUESe (finalized), EVIPNet, Global Health Library, Global Index Medicus and the WHO COVID-19 Research Database are examples of successful initiatives between BIREME and the WHO, some of which are still under development and improvement.
To celebrate the 75 years of the WHO, the Organization has selected key messages for the public and its Member States on Health for All, available in English. The relationship builds on the “Health for All” approach and aims to ensure that all people enjoy good health to lead fulfilling lives in a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
Links of interest
Pan American Health Organization. World Health Day 2023 – Health for All. Available from: https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/world-health-day-2023-health-for-all
Pan American Health Organization. Universal Health. Available from: https://www.paho.org/en/topics/universal-health
Pan American Health Organization. Primary Health Care. Available from: https://www.paho.org/en/topics/primary-health-care
Pan American Health Organization. Essential Public Health Functions. Available from: https://www.paho.org/en/topics/essential-public-health-functions