World Health Day: Theme, Objectives, History, Importance

World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April every year since 1950. The idea of celebrating a global day dedicated for human health was conceived at the first Health Assembly in 1948 with the objective of creating awareness about specific health themes. The date of the World Health Day marks the founding anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO). Over the years it has drawn attention to important health issues and other aspects of life affecting global health. Let us understand World Health Day in more details.

World Health Day 2021: Building a Fairer, Healthier World

The theme of World Health Day for 2021 is “Building a Fairer, Healthier World”. This year world health day and its theme are more important as the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over.

Inequality among the citizens of the world was not an unknown issue but the pandemic has made it crystal clear. Some people are more vulnerable than others entirely due to the conditions in which they are born, grow and work. So, in 2021 the World Health Day gives a call to world leaders to ensure that everybody gets living and working condition that is conducive to good health. The theme ‘building a fairer, healthier world’ is a reaffirmation of WHO’s commitment towards ensuring the right to good health for everyone everywhere.

World Health Day Themes in Earlier Years

• 2020: Year of Nurses and Midwife
• 2019: Health for all – Everyone, Everywhere
• 2018: Universal Health Coverage – Everyone, Everywhere
• 2017: Depression, Let’s talk
• 2016: Halt the rise – beat diabetes
• 2015: Food Safety
• 2014: Vector-borne diseases: small bite, big threat
• 2013: Healthy heartbeat, Healthy blood pressure
• 2012: Good health adds life to years
• 2011: Antimicrobial resistance: no action today, no cure tomorrow
• 2010: Urbanization and health: make cities healthier
• 2009: Save lives, Make hospitals safe in emergencies
• 2008: Protecting health from the adverse effects of climate change
• 2007: International health security
• 2006: Working together for health
• 2005: Make every mother and child count
• 2004: Road safety
• 2003: Shape the future of life: healthy environments for children
• 2002: Move for health
• 2001: Mental Health: stop exclusion, dare to care
• 2000: Safe Blood starts with me
• 1999: Active aging makes the difference
• 1998: Safe motherhood
• 1997: Emerging infectious diseases
• 1996: Healthy Cities for a better life
• 1995: Global Polio Eradication
• 1994: Oral Health for a Healthy Life
• 1993: Handle life with care: Prevent violence and Negligence
• 1992: Heartbeat: A rhythm of Health
• 1991: Should Disaster Strike, be prepared

Global health organizations, as well as national governments, all over the world are taking measures to ensure good health for the citizens. Let us take some responsibilities of staying aware of the health programs and taking care of our as well as our loved one’s health.