World Health Organization (WHO)

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WHO began when our Constitution came into force on 7 April 1948 – a date we now celebrate every year as World Health Day. We are now more than 7000 people from more than 150 countries working in 150 country offices, in 6 regional offices and at our headquarters in Geneva.

Constitution of the World Health Organization: Principles

• Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
• The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.
• The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent on the fullest co-operation of individuals and States.
• The achievement of any State in the promotion and protection of health is of value to all.
• Unequal development in different countries in the promotion of health and control of diseases, especially communicable disease, is a common danger.
• Healthy development of the child is of basic importance; the ability to live harmoniously in a changing total environment is essential to such development.
• The extension to all peoples of the benefits of medical, psychological and related knowledge is essential to the fullest attainment of health.
• Informed opinion and active co-operation on the part of the public are of the utmost importance in the improvement of the health of the people.
• Governments have a responsibility for the health of their peoples which can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health and social measures.

Source: World Health Organization

World Health Careers

WHO Guidelines

The development of global guidelines ensuring the appropriate use of evidence represents one of the core functions of WHO. Recommendations that can impact upon health policies or clinical interventions are considered guidelines for WHO purposes. Below is a list by topic  of some of the most recent guidelines.

• Child health
• Chronic diseases, injuries and disability
• Communicable diseases
• Environmental health
• HIV/AIDS
• Health systems
• Malaria
• Maternal, reproductive health and women's health
• Mental health and substance abuse
• Nutrition
• Patient safety
• Tuberculosis