H/C Project Information - World Health Organisation
WHO: World Health Organisation
The World Health Organization, as part of the United Nations
(UN), has expertise to coordinate international public health
matters. Within its constitution, its mission “is the attainment by all
peoples of the highest possible level of health.” With health as its
prime concern, the WHO defines health as “a state of complete
physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity.” Its prime concern is to, generally,
promote the health of all peoples of the world and to, specifically,
combat diseases—especially critical infectious diseases. The UN
approved its charter and the World Health Organization was
established on April 7, 1948.
The public widely recognizes some work performed by WHO. The
WHO responds to natural and human made disasters by
providing emergency aid, funds medical research, conducts
immunization campaigns against fatal diseases, and improves
housing, nutrition, sanitation, and working conditions in
developing countries.
The WHO is probably best known for its immunization programs
and smallpox eradication. Currently, it is working with other health
organizations to treat tuberculosis, malaria, SARS (severe acute
respiratory syndrome), and HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency
virus/acquired immunodeficiency deficiency syndrome).
However, the WHO also performs work that is less familiar to
the public. It charts statistical health trends and issues warnings
about possible health problems. The WHO is also responsible
for assigning a common international name to drugs. WHO
, standards are used for measuring air and water pollution. WHO
personnel work with agencies, foundations, governments,
non-governmental organizations, and private sector groups to
address the world's health needs.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the WHO consists of
one hundred ninety three Member States (along with two
associate Member States). It is governed through
representatives within its World Health Assembly. A
thirty-four-member Executive Board, elected by the World
Health Assembly, supports the WHO. In addition, six regional
committees focus on health concerns within Southeast Asia, the
Eastern Mediterranean, the Americas, Africa, the Western
Pacific, and Europe.
Three of the WHO's largest programs called for the global
eradication of smallpox, polio, and leprosy (Hansen's disease).
The worldwide campaign to eliminate smallpox began in 1967
as the WHO held vaccination programs in developing countries.
By 1972, only a few countries in Africa and southern Asia
reported any incidence of smallpox. In 1979, the WHO reported
that smallpox was eradicated throughout the world.
WHO: World Health Organisation
The World Health Organization, as part of the United Nations
(UN), has expertise to coordinate international public health
matters. Within its constitution, its mission “is the attainment by all
peoples of the highest possible level of health.” With health as its
prime concern, the WHO defines health as “a state of complete
physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity.” Its prime concern is to, generally,
promote the health of all peoples of the world and to, specifically,
combat diseases—especially critical infectious diseases. The UN
approved its charter and the World Health Organization was
established on April 7, 1948.
The public widely recognizes some work performed by WHO. The
WHO responds to natural and human made disasters by
providing emergency aid, funds medical research, conducts
immunization campaigns against fatal diseases, and improves
housing, nutrition, sanitation, and working conditions in
developing countries.
The WHO is probably best known for its immunization programs
and smallpox eradication. Currently, it is working with other health
organizations to treat tuberculosis, malaria, SARS (severe acute
respiratory syndrome), and HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency
virus/acquired immunodeficiency deficiency syndrome).
However, the WHO also performs work that is less familiar to
the public. It charts statistical health trends and issues warnings
about possible health problems. The WHO is also responsible
for assigning a common international name to drugs. WHO
, standards are used for measuring air and water pollution. WHO
personnel work with agencies, foundations, governments,
non-governmental organizations, and private sector groups to
address the world's health needs.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the WHO consists of
one hundred ninety three Member States (along with two
associate Member States). It is governed through
representatives within its World Health Assembly. A
thirty-four-member Executive Board, elected by the World
Health Assembly, supports the WHO. In addition, six regional
committees focus on health concerns within Southeast Asia, the
Eastern Mediterranean, the Americas, Africa, the Western
Pacific, and Europe.
Three of the WHO's largest programs called for the global
eradication of smallpox, polio, and leprosy (Hansen's disease).
The worldwide campaign to eliminate smallpox began in 1967
as the WHO held vaccination programs in developing countries.
By 1972, only a few countries in Africa and southern Asia
reported any incidence of smallpox. In 1979, the WHO reported
that smallpox was eradicated throughout the world.
