April 7: World Health Day
Prayer Idea
Pray that medical professionals across the world would work together to promote the health and well-being of all people.
History Note
During the meetings that established the United Nations in 1945, diplomats discussed creating a global organization focused on health. After a series of additional meetings, the World Health Organization (WHO) came into being on April 7, 1948.
The World Health Organization has a mission to provide more access to primary and preventative health care, distribute medicines and other health products, and provide training for health workers. In one major achievement, the WHO helped countries work together to eradicate smallpox in the 1970s. The WHO has also faced criticism, including for its response to Ebola and COVID-19.
Manufacturing and distributing supplies and connecting medical professionals with patients who need care is a huge, complex problem that no one organization can “solve”. People can collaborate through government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, churches, and other groups to find solutions for different problems in different situations.
The WHO observes April 7 as World Health Day to raise awareness of and promote cooperation on health issues.
This photo shows workers from the World Health Organization in Bangladesh in 2021. Photo by Jubair Bin Iqbal / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0.
Learn More
Hear these medical professionals from India share what good health means for them.
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