This Sunday is World Health Day

This Sunday (7 April) is World Health Day, which is celebrated annually to draw attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

It was founded by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.

My health, my right

The theme for World Health Day 2024 is "My health, my right", which was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to:

• quality health services, education, and information;
• drinking water;
• clean air;
• good nutrition;
• quality housing;
• decent working and environmental conditions; and
• freedom from discrimination.

Around the world, the right to health of millions is increasingly coming under threat:

• diseases and disasters loom large as causes of death and disability;
• conflicts are devastating lives, causing death, pain, hunger, and psychological distress;
• burning of fossil fuels is simultaneously driving the climate crisis and taking away our right to breathe clean air, with indoor and outdoor air pollution claiming a life every five seconds.

The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognise health as a human right in their constitution. Yet countries are not passing and putting into practice laws to ensure their populations are entitled to access health services.

This underpins the fact that at least 4.5 billion people, more than half of the world's population, were not fully covered by essential health services in 2021.

What can I do on World Health Day?

A few activities that you could take part in during World Health Day include:

• promoting a balanced diet and healthy eating;
• sharing healthy snack and recipe ideas;
• helping staff learn about their personal health;
• organising a fundraising event for charity;
• hosting a meditation or mindfulness event;
• encouraging staff to be active or go on a lunchtime walk;
• investing in first aid and mental health first aid training;
• prioritising a safe working environment;
• offering mental health support groups and wellbeing officers.