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World Health Day
In 1948, the First World Health Assembly called for the creation of a World Health Day to mark the founding of WHO. Since 1950, World Health Day has been celebrated every year on 7 April with a different theme. Each theme reflects a priority area of current concern to WHO. The Day launches longer-term advocacy programmes that continue well beyond 7 April.
World Health Day is a worldwide opportunity to focus on key public health issues. WHO/Europe contributes by highlighting activities and analysis on the chosen theme from and about the Member States of the WHO European Region, and WHO/Europe country offices hold special events to draw attention to the theme and foster debate among policy-makers and other stakeholders.
2013 – Focus on high blood pressure
The theme for World Health Day in 2013 is high blood pressure, also known as raised blood pressure or hypertension. It increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure and if left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause blindness, irregular heartbeat and heart failure.
2012 - Active ageing: Good health adds life to years
On 7 April 2012, World Health Day, activities and campaigns throughout the world will focus on ageing and health, raising awareness of what individuals and governments can do to promote active and healthy ageing.
2011 - Antibiotic resistance: No action today, no cure tomorrow
The health of people in Europe is threatened by a growing phenomenon: bacteria that cause common and life-threatening infections are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics – the medicines used to treat them. This is due to the widespread use and misuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals. This is an urgent problem, and is why anti-microbial resistance is the focus of World Health Day 2011.
2010 - 1000 cities, 1000 lives
World Health Day 2010 focused on urban health. The campaign “1000 cities, 1000 lives”, taking place on 7–11 April 2010 encouraged cities to open up public spaces to health, and to collect stories of urban health champions who have taken action and significantly benefited health in their cities. Over 175 cities in 31 countries across the WHO European Region joined the campaign.
2009 - Save lives. Make hospitals safe in emergencies
World Health Day 2009 focused on the safety of health facilities and the readiness of health workers who treat people affected by emergencies. Health centres and staff provide vital health care in communities every day. In disasters, their services are in even greater demand: treating injuries, preventing illnesses and caring for people’s urgent health needs.
2008 - Protecting health from climate change
All societies are now vulnerable to climate change, variability and extremes. Effects on human health have already been observed in the WHO European Region.