7 April commemorates the observance of World Health Day each year. From its beginning in 1948 at the First Health Assembly and ever since coming into effect in 1950, compliance has intended to generate awareness of a particular health issue to emphasise a specific topic of interest for the World Health Organization (WHO).

The past quinquagenarian has brought severe health issues to the forefront, including maternal and child care, mental health, and climate change. The commemoration is characterised by events and activities which serve as a chance to concentrate international attention on these essential areas of global health.

World Health Day’s purpose is straightforward: offering people access to medical care without the risk of financial distress. This is irrelevant to their location; they may be in the United States, South America, Asia, and Africa. What is vital to the WHO is that there’s healthcare for everyone.

WHO affirms, following numerous studies, that the nation that engages in worldwide healthcare will contribute to its human resources. Undoubtedly, access to a bottom line of treatment and insurance coverage will sincerely enhance someone’s wellness and protect countries from outbreaks, create employment, improve gender equality, eradicate poverty and promote economic growth.

Our Planet, Our Health is the theme of World Health Day 2022. It concentrates global attention on critical efforts required to keep humanity and the environment healthy and build a movement to build communities oriented toward well-being. WHO assesses that more than 13 million fatalities worldwide are related to preventable environmental causes. This involves global warming and climate crisis, the nation’s enormous health hazard. The climatic problem is also a national crisis.

YUVA has one objective: the ongoing wellness of children and young people, particularly the most underprivileged. In 2021, YUVA conducted over 200 community activities in Mauritius – especially in impoverished areas. The primary goal is to provide young people access to medical care, playgrounds and libraries. Malnutrition, in any form, offers substantial dangers to human well-being.

In keeping with WHO standards, YUVA has arranged various health programmes across Mauritius island to increase awareness of the significance of a nutrient-rich diet and boost children’s, adolescents’, and adults’ understanding of nourishment.

YUVA urged Mauritians to embrace and sustain appropriate diet habits to defend themselves from malnutrition in all its manifestations and non-communicable diseases like diabetes, stroke, and cancer through nutrition campaigns. YUVA has benefited significantly from the media to promote awareness and advocate for critical social problems. Media advocacy has its purpose in the furtherance of healthy public policies.

The History of World Health Day

To discuss World Health Day, we ought to discuss the formation of the WHO as an entity. The representatives of China and Brazil proposed the development of a global health organisation that is all-enveloping and completely separate from any sovereign powers in December 1945.

In July 1946, about six months later, in New York, the constitution of the WHO was ratified. The Said constitution came into effect on 7 April 1948, as 61 nations signed in support of the foundation of the non-governmental organisation.

Among the first measures undertaken by WHO, they founded the day’s observance. It was first commemorated on 22 July 1949 but was eventually changed to 7 April, the creation of WHO, to promote students’ participation.

Since 1950, this day has employed a diverse theme every year determined by the incumbent WHO Director-General, built on the ideas of member nations and employees.

The Traditions of World Health Day

Ever since its beginning, health problems and access to medical care have significantly been pushed for by individuals around the globe on World Health Day. WHO proposes a unique theme each year promoted in classrooms, conferences, courses, and discussion boards. The day is about generating awareness for the health challenges of the poor and the less privileged in developing nations around the globe, encouraging us to be thankful for our well-being and properly start taking care of ourselves.

Bicycling, hiking and other outdoor activities, donation campaigns and rallies are arranged. Mental health is typically most ignored and given to our stressful living situations; it’s highly vital nowadays. Therefore, counselling and meditation are significantly suggested. A well-balanced diet is also recommended since we are what we eat.

Why is World Health Day crucial?

• World Health Day urges action worldwide as it is one of WHO’s eight major international health campaigns. The day stimulates awareness actions and media stories.
• This day can be a crucial day to focus on our health. Discussions can help decrease the stigma linked with sickness and ultimately to more individuals seeking treatment and support.
• World Health Day assures that we are continually learning by adopting a new theme every year! WHO selects each year’s subject entrenched on a pressing health concern and devotes a whole week to meetings and programs about the topic and theme.