By Madhurima Ghosh –
World Health Day is celebrated annually on 7th of April every year to raise awareness regarding global health. It is sponsored by WHO and celebrated based on a theme given by them to bring the worldwide focus on a particular health topic that needs specific attention at the moment. The day is observed through discussions, newspaper articles, media concerts, competitions and prize distribution based on the chosen theme.
History of World Health Day
In 1948 in Geneva, World Health Day was organized by the First World Health Assembly, after which it was agreed on a mutual consent to celebrate World Health Day every year worldwide. Since 7th April marks the foundation of World health organization, it was chosen as world health day.
Theme for 2022
Our Planet our Health – On World Health Day 2022, WHO wishes to drive global attention towards immediate actions, needed to keep planet healthy as a healthy planet is essential for its people to be healthy. It is important to understand the interconnection between planet and human health. When planet health is getting harmed by changes in land and sea usage, exploitation, climate change, pollution, introduction of invasive species, excessive use of non-degradable items like plastic, it is resulting avoidable environmental issues that is in turn leading to innumerable deaths.
The impact of all this on human health is exhibited through various diseases like:
- Air Pollution : Lung cancer, Cardiovascular disease, respiratory allergies, asthma
- Water Pollution : cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio
- Changes in Ecosystem : Malaria, Dengue, encephalitis, hantavirus, Lyme disease, chikungunia
- Droughts : Malnutrition
- Environmental degradation : Forced migration, civil conflict, mental health impact
- Climate change : Cancer, Asthma, rising temp causing heat related illness, rising sea levels causing flood which in turn develops typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, conjunctivitis, leptospirosis, dengue, jaundice
- Poor Sanitization Contaminating Food, Air and Water.
So on this World Health Day, WHO focuses to take the steps towards #healthier tomorrow. The organization has given proper guidelines for government, corporations, health workers and facilities, mayors and individuals to follow that would help to protect our planet
Guidelines for Governments
- Long-term human well-being and ecological stability should be prioritized in all decision-making.
- Fossil fuel exploration, projects and subsidies to be stopped and policies on clean energy production to be implemented
- Polluters should be taxed and carbon reduction incentivized
- WHO air quality guidelines to be implemented.
- Health care facilities with renewable energies to be implemented.
- Air pollution levels to be reduced
- Highly processed foods and beverages should be taxed
- Policies to reduce food wastage to be implemented
- Agriculture and fossil fuel subsidies to be invested towards healthy food production and public health.
- Cities with more greenery to be built
- Tobacco to be taxed.
- Waste and plastic reduction policies to be implemented.
Guidelines for Corporations
- After working hours unnecessary electricity usage should be stopped
- Highly processed and packaged foods to be removed from the workplace.
- Emissions of greenhouse gas to be reduced.
- Breastfeeding to be promoted
- Safe water should be accessible for workers.
Guidelines for Health workers and Health Facilities
- Health care waste to be reduced and properly treated.
- Highly processed and packaged foods to be reduced in health facilities.
- Health facilities should be decarbonized.
- Availability of safe clean water at health facilities to be ensured.
- Easily recyclable or reusable products to be purchased.
Guidelines for Mayors
- Energy efficient buildings to be promoted.
- Low-carbon public transport to be implemented.
- New bike lanes and footpaths to be built.
- New parks and gardens to be built.
- Usage of renewable energy for municipal operations to be encouraged.
- Marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages in public spaces to be regulated.
Guidelines for Individuals
- Public transport to be chosen. Once a week a walk to work place to be encouraged
- Renewable energy provider to be opted
- Fresh groceries from local producers to be purchased avoiding processed foods and beverages.
- Tobacco is a killer and a polluter. Tobacco consumption to be stopped
- Plastic purchase to be lessened; recyclable grocery bags to be opted
With such great guidelines it can be assured that change is inevitable. Let us join hands with WHO to follow the guidelines and create a better, healthier environment for our future. Clean our food, air and water for our planet to be healthy and green.
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