 |
| Photo by Mia Seleccion |
Observed during the 7th of April, World Health Day is not only when the World Health Organization was founded, but it is also the day when the organization chose to highlight a universal health issue that must be addressed.
As the organization, and the day itself, turns 75 this year, it just feels right for the 2023 World Health Day to be centered around the theme of "Health For All." The organization was founded on the belief that everyone, regardless of age, race, or financial status, is deserving of the highest level of healthcare. And in light of this, highlighting humanity’s milestones and achievements in regard to public health seem befitting of the event. The 75th World Health Day seeks to remind everyone of the conversations humanity has ignited, of the change we have prompted in modern society, and what we could still do for the betterment of our future.
In 1950, the organization started advising countries about the responsible use of antibiotics as the world entered its golden era of antibiotic discovery. Not long after that, Jonas Salk paved the way for the near-complete eradication of polio with his successful virus-killing vaccine, delivered by injection; he first tested the polio vaccine on himself and his family in 1953, and eventually, after a year, on 1.6 million children across Canada, Finland and the USA. Albert Sabin in 1961, with his orally-delivered polio vaccine, ensured the total eradication of polio in several countries, with Czechoslovakia being the first country to eliminate polio entirely. Sabin’s vaccine became the ideal vaccination for the mass vaccination campaigns led by the organization.
 |
| Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, developers of polio vaccines. Photo by Getty Images |
The organization then established the first International Health Regulations, an agreement between the organization’s member states to work together against massive health risks, in 1969. The year 1972 saw the founding of the Special Program of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, which sought to carry out research on sexual and reproductive health.
Another program, co-sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, and the World Bank, was established in 1975, the Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. The program has been essential to the near-elimination of the diseases they sought to work on in their founding. Kazakhstan in 1978 laid out the goal of "Health For All," which served as the foundation for the organization’s call for universal health coverage.
After a global vaccination campaign led by the organization, smallpox was entirely eradicated in 1980. With the discovery of HIV in 1983, the persistent efforts of numerous, hard-working people resulted in the licensing of the first medication to control HIV and prevent its progression to AIDS in 1987. Eleven years later in 1998, the organization became a pioneer in emergency contraception with its licensure in more than one hundred countries. 1999 saw the establishment of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.
With members from the organization itself, the Alliance also consists of key United Nations agencies, vaccine industry leaders, government representatives, and major foundations. Having the primary goal of eliminating barriers, they sought to provide millions of children access to vaccines.
2001 saw the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS in addressing the worldwide HIV/AIDS crisis, which would lead to the organization’s launching of the 3 by 5 initiative in 2003; the initiative sought to treat three million HIV-positive people by 2005. Due to the lack of funding, the initiative only managed to treat around one million by the end of 2005. 2006 was the year for children, which marked a decline in child mortality rates and the establishment of the WHO Child Growth Standards, whose mission was to ensure the equitable growth of every child.
The member states then sought to prevent and control non-communicable diseases, including but not limited to heart disease and diabetes in 2012. With the endorsement of the first worldwide Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan in 2013, mental health started getting the same amount of attention and treatment as other health risks were getting. The organization, in an unprecedented move, deployed thousands of medical experts and mobilized numerous countries to combat the Ebola epidemic in 2014.
With over 17 million people on HIV treatment and Cuba becoming the first country to receive the organization’s validation in the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, 2015 marked a progressive year for HIV treatment. The year also saw the organization’s European region achieving the interruption of indigenous malaria transmission and adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
A goal met was met for the first time in 2016, which had one billion people treated for at least one neglected tropical disease. The organization also announced zero cases of Ebola in West Africa. World leaders then adopted in 2019 the most comprehensive set of health commitments ever, the United Nations Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage. Despite the impact that the Coronavirus pandemic has had on the world, effective vaccines against the Coronavirus started its rollout in 2020. And by the end of 2021, 75% of HIV-positive people were being given treatment, and in the same year, a malaria vaccine became a scientific breakthrough.
Following two years of face masks and social distancing, 2022 marked the return to a semblance of normality. In 2023, five of the six WHO Regions have been certified free of wild poliovirus and two of the three wild poliovirus strains have been globally eradicated.
But despite all our achievements, we still have a long way to go. The Coronavirus pandemic, with its exposure to the cracks and gaps in our public health infrastructure, has urged our current officials to be proactive in addressing the health risks that target the whole world.
To continue the implementation of the World Health Organization’s desire for health for all, we must make investments in factors that influence our health and address our risks. Initiatives and programs that recognize the intersectional nature of health with our wealth, education, resources, and services must be made. It is essential to maintain focus and provide funding for all our endeavors, should we wish to grow further.
But then again, we have made considerable progress, and we must continue to do so.
