World Health Day is one of the official global annual health campaigns by the World Health Organization that aims to focus each year on one specific health topic of concern that needs to be addressed by the world.
Official Date: April 7
The celebration of World Health Day coincides with the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization. In 2023, WHO marked its 76th anniversary.
Key Focus Areas
- Review public health successes that have improved the quality of life during the last seven decades.
- Motivate action to tackle current and future health challenges.
- Promote health and well-being for all segments of society, especially the vulnerable ones.
Top Facts
- Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with at least 2.8 million people dying each year as a result of being overweight or obese.
- The number of people living with dementia worldwide is currently estimated at over 50 million and will almost triple by 2050.
- Around 1 in 7 of the world's adolescents have a mental disorder.
- In low-income countries, there are less than one mental health staff per 100,000 population, compared with more than 60 in high-income countries.
- Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and is responsible for about 10 million deaths per year.