How the World Health Organization Helps with Public Health Issues
- Monitoring and Assessing Trends in Health Issues
- Influencing and Guiding Research
- Setting and Defining Standards of Care
- Providing Technical Support and Information
- Supporting National Health Policies in Affected Nations
The World Health Organization is a United Nation’s body that is tasked with directing and coordinating public health issues and policies. The organization’s constitution was promulgated on April 7, 1948, a date which has since been designated as World Health Day. The agency’s headquarters are located in Geneva, but it maintains six regional and 150 country offices to fulfill its international mandate. There are approximately 7,000 WHO employees worldwide, collaborating with local resources to implement health programs in targeted communities.
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1. Monitoring and Assessing Trends in Health Issues
The primary mandate of the WHO is to oversee international health issues within the United Nations environment. The agency determines priority issues based on trending developments, taking key leadership roles in responding to priority health concerns to support local efforts in the subject countries. The WHO takes the lead in assessing risks, identifying priorities through effective triage, defining strategies and solutions with due attention given to the local environment and providing logistical resources as needed. The agency aims to help nations prepare for emergencies, including enhancing their capacity to manage risks, prevent and respond to emergency situations and to lead recovery efforts.
2. Influencing and Guiding Research
About 70 percent of deaths worldwide are due to chronic illnesses that are non-communicable. The WHO is involved in comprehensive and localized research regarding diseases such as cancer, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases and diabetes.
A disproportionate number of deaths due to chronic illnesses occur in developing and low-income countries, making it imperative for the WHO to continue its leadership role in defining the research agenda and health strategies development in local nations. The WHO supports local efforts in member-states by providing financial resources, supporting local research, providing training and information exchange that involves resources beyond the health sector.
3. Setting and Defining Standards for Health Care Strategies
The WHO is at the forefront of various health-related breakthroughs, including the elimination of communicable diseases such as smallpox. With its worldwide reach, the agency has access to information and research data that is used to develop strategic solutions to emerging and current health issues. The agency prepares a general program of work, typically a six-year module, that defines the health initiatives that it intends to prioritize. With 50 percent of its staff based in country offices, the agency supports local initiatives while providing guidance based on research-based standards.
4. Providing Technical Support and Information
Given the complex health issues of the modern world, the WHO plays a crucial role in
advocating for changes in health care strategies to ensure the sustainability of health programs and policies. Aside from partnering with the public and private sector on issues related to health concerns, the WHO is invested in promoting access to health care by promoting universal health coverage and providing technical support to strengthen local institutions that deliver health services to at-risk communities according to the definition of its mission.
5. Supporting National Health Policies in Affected Nations
Member-nations count on the guidance and resources of the WHO to develop their own health policies and programs based on their needs and priorities. Together with local policymakers, local communities, health advocates, the private sector, the academic community and global health partners, the agency helps to strengthen health information systems and evidence-based policymaking.
The local impact of WHO programs may be difficult to quantify. The agency strives to maintain a consistent presence through ongoing programs and local partnerships as part of an integrated approach to the management of health care issues. The goal is to make sure that communication, technical, human and information resources are in place in case health emergencies arise.
