World Health Organization

Extracted Attributes

• Type

  Specialized agency of the United Nations

• Award

  Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation

• Advocacy

  Universal health coverage, monitoring public health risks, coordinating responses to health emergencies, promoting health and well-being.

• Employees

  7000

• Headquarters

  Geneva, Switzerland

• Field Offices

  150+

• Founding Date

  1948-04-07

• Key Functions

  Promoting control of epidemic/endemic diseases, improving public health training, setting international standards for biological products, providing technical assistance, collecting global health data, serving as a forum for health discussions.

• Member States

  194

• Funding Sources

  Membership dues from Member States (less than 20% of budget), voluntary contributions from Member States and private donors, other United Nations organizations, intergovernmental organizations.

• Regional Offices

  6

• Current Priorities

  Communicable diseases (HIV/AIDS, Ebola, malaria, tuberculosis), non-communicable diseases (heart disease, cancer), healthy diet, nutrition, food security, occupational health, substance abuse.

• Definition of Health

  A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

• Official Publication

  World Health Report

• Formal Work Start Date

  1948-09-01

Timeline

• The World Health Organization (WHO) was established. (Source: summary, Wikipedia, Wikidata)

  1948-04-07

• WHO formally began its work. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1948-09-01

• WHO's work began in earnest after a significant infusion of financial and technical resources. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1951

World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has 6 regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide. Only sovereign states are eligible to join, and it is the largest intergovernmental health organization at the international level. The WHO's purpose is to achieve the highest possible level of health for all the world's people, defining health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." The main functions of the World Health Organization include promoting the control of epidemic and endemic diseases; providing and improving the teaching and training in public health, the medical treatment of disease, and related matters; and promoting the establishment of international standards for biological products. The WHO was established on 7 April 1948, and formally began its work on 1 September 1948. It incorporated the assets, personnel, and duties of the League of Nations' Health Organization and the Paris-based Office International d'Hygiène Publique, including the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The agency's work began in earnest in 1951 after a significant infusion of financial and technical resources. The WHO's official mandate is to promote health and safety while helping the vulnerable worldwide. It provides technical assistance to countries, sets international health standards, collects data on global health issues, and serves as a forum for scientific or policy discussions related to health. Its official publication, the World Health Report, provides assessments of worldwide health topics. The WHO has played a leading role in several public health achievements, most notably the eradication of smallpox, the near-eradication of polio, and the development of an Ebola vaccine. Its current priorities include communicable diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, malaria and tuberculosis; non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and cancer; healthy diet, nutrition, and food security; occupational health; and substance abuse. The agency advocates for universal health care coverage, engagement with the monitoring of public health risks, coordinating responses to health emergencies, and promoting health and well-being generally. The WHO is governed by the World Health Assembly (WHA), which is composed of its 194 member states. The WHA elects and advises an executive board made up of 34 health specialists; selects the WHO's chief administrator, the director-general (currently Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia); sets goals and priorities; and approves the budget and activities. The WHO is funded primarily by contributions from member states (both assessed and voluntary), followed by private donors.

Web Search Results

• World Health Organization - Wikipedia

  The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has 6 regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide. Only sovereign states are eligible to join, and it is the largest intergovernmental health organization at the international level. [...] The WHO's purpose is to achieve the highest possible level of health for all the world's people, defining health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." The main functions of the World Health Organization include promoting the control of epidemic and endemic diseases; providing and improving the teaching and training in public health, the medical treatment of disease, and related matters; and promoting the establishment [...] The WHO's official mandate is to promote health and safety while helping the vulnerable worldwide. It provides technical assistance to countries, sets international health standards, collects data on global health issues, and serves as a forum for scientific or policy discussions related to health. Its official publication, the World Health Report, provides assessments of worldwide health topics.

• Frequently asked questions - World Health Organization (WHO)

  Founded in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency dedicated to global health and safety. The Organization connects nations, partners and communities to promote health and serve the vulnerable. WHO works with its Member States to achieve the highest level of health for all people by pursuing universal health coverage. Structure and governance History [...] WHO is an international organization composed of a group of Member States, and so it is not an NGO.Each Member State has a voice in determining the direction and targets of the Organization. WHO works with many local and international NGOs, as well as governments and other partners, to achieve its goals. ## What is the WHO definition of health? The preamble to WHO’s constitution provides a definition of health: [...] WHO receives funding through membership dues paid by Member States and voluntary contributions from Member States and other partners. Calculated as a percentage of each country’s gross domestic product, membership dues are assessed every 2 years at the World Health Assembly. Less than 20% of WHO’s total budget comes from membership dues, while the remainder comes from voluntary contributions, largely from Member States as well as from other United Nations organizations, intergovernmental

• World Health Organization - the United Nations

  # World Health Organization The World Health Organization is the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations system. The objective of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health, as defined in the WHO Constitution, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. #### UNITED NATIONS [...] + Soundcloud + X (Former Twitter) + YouTube Contact Us

• Definition of World Health Organization - NCI Dictionary of Cancer ...

  A part of the United Nations that deals with major health issues around the world. The World Health Organization sets standards for disease control, health care, and medicines; conducts education and research programs; and publishes scientific papers and reports. A major goal is to improve access to health care for people in developing countries and in groups who do not get good health care. The headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland. Also called WHO. ###### More Information

• About WHO - World Health Organization (WHO)

  Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance to live a healthy life. Support us, donate today ## Who we are Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. The people at WHO ## What we do [...] WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage. We direct and coordinate the world’s response to health emergencies. And we promote healthier lives – from pregnancy care through old age. Our Triple Billion targets outline an ambitious plan for the world to achieve good health for all using science-based policies and programmes. Our work Public health milestones ## Where we work [...] Working with 194 Member States across 6 regions and on the ground in 150+ locations, the WHO team works to improve everyone’s ability to enjoy good health and well-being. Organizational structure ## Who we work with Collaboration is at the heart of all we do. From governments and civil society to international organizations, foundations, advocates, researchers and health workers, we mobilize every part of society to advance the health and security of all. Partners ## How we are governed

• Award

  Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation

• Image

  

• Country

  Switzerland

• Employees

  7,000

• Instance Of

  Q484652

• Coordinates

  Lat: 46.23353503, Lon: 6.134199261

• Headquarters

  Geneva

• Inception Date

  4/7/1948