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What is World Health Day?
World Health Day is observed every April 7, the founding anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO). Marked annually since 1950, it is the WHO's flagship global awareness day, with a different health-policy theme each year.
Why April 7?
The World Health Organization's constitution entered into force on April 7, 1948, when the 26th of the original signatory states ratified it. That date became the WHO's official founding day, and World Health Day has been observed on April 7 every year since 1950 (the first observance in 1949 fell in July).
Upcoming dates
World Health Day falls on April 7 every year. The next five occurrences:
| Year | Date | Day of week |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | April 7, 2027 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | April 7, 2028 | Friday |
| 2029 | April 7, 2029 | Saturday |
| 2030 | April 7, 2030 | Sunday |
| 2031 | April 7, 2031 | Monday |
A short history of the WHO and World Health Day
- 1946 — WHO Constitution drafted at the International Health Conference in New York City.
- April 7, 1948 — WHO Constitution enters into force after 26th ratification. WHO is born.
- July 22, 1949 — First World Health Day observed.
- 1950 onwards — World Health Day moves to April 7 to align with the WHO's founding anniversary.
- 1980 — WHO declares smallpox eradicated — the only human disease ever to be eradicated by deliberate action.
- 2023 — WHO marks its 75th anniversary with the theme Health For All.
Recent themes
| Year | Theme |
|---|---|
| 2024 | My health, my right |
| 2023 | Health For All (WHO 75th anniversary) |
| 2022 | Our planet, our health |
| 2021 | Building a fairer, healthier world |
| 2020 | Support nurses and midwives |
| 2019 | Universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere |
Sources & references
- WHO — World Health Day — the official campaign page.
- WHO — Our history — founding chronology including the April 7, 1948 date.
- UN — World Health Day.
FAQs
April 7 is the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO), which came into force when its constitution was ratified by 26 of the original signatory states on April 7, 1948. The WHO chose this date to mark its annual flagship observance.
The first World Health Day was held on July 22, 1949, and was moved to April 7 from 1950 onwards to coincide with the WHO's founding anniversary. It has been observed every year since.
WHO sets a new theme each year. The 2024 theme was My health, my right. The 2023 theme was Health For All, marking the WHO's 75th anniversary. The 2022 theme was Our planet, our health. The current theme is published at who.int.
No. World Health Day is an awareness day led by the WHO, not a public holiday. Some health ministries and hospitals mark it with public events, screenings or policy announcements, but workplaces and schools remain open.
World Health Day (April 7) is the WHO's broad annual campaign and covers a different global health topic each year. World Mental Health Day (October 10) is led by the World Federation for Mental Health. World Diabetes Day (November 14) is led by the IDF. Each focuses on a specific health issue rather than the broader "health for all" agenda.
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the UN system. It has 194 member states and six regional offices: Africa, the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-East Asia, and the Western Pacific.