About World Health Day
World Health Day is celebrated every year on the 7th April to mark the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. According to recent research, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the planet has become even more polluted and is leading to an increase in diseases such as, cancer, asthma and heart disease. Unfortunately, the pandemic highlighted many inequities in our world as well as weaknesses in all areas of society. Therefore, WHO now plans to focus global attention on urgent actions needed to keep the planet and humans healthy. WHO has estimated that around 13 million people die around the world each year due to environmental causes that are ultimately avoidable.
WHO have published a manifesto of the six-steps you can take to ensure a healthy and green recovery from COVID-19:
- To cherish and protect the source of all human health, the natural world.
- To invest in vital, live-saving services such as; access to water and sanitation, and clean energy in healthcare facilities.
- Quickly transition to clean, renewable sources of energy.
- To switch to healthy and sustainable food systems.
- Making all our towns and cities green and healthy.
- To shift from an economy driven by profit and pollution, to an economy driven by fairness and wellbeing.
Furthermore, through the Our Planet, Our Health theme and campaign for this year, WHO will urge the government and people to share how they are taking steps to protect the planet and their health. Make sure to share your life changing differences with the hashtag #HealthierTomorrow with us over on Twitter.
Read more about the importance of World Health Day here.
