World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on April 7, 1948. The WHO is an agencyinstitution within the structure of the United Nations. It was developed through the discussions that originated in the San Francisco Conference, April to June, 1945, and the International Health Conference at New York (convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Council), June to July, 1946. Prior to the establishment of the WHO, three key dates indicate the institutionalization of health on an international scale: 1851, The First International Sanitary Conference held in Paris; 1907, the agreement setting up the Office International d'Hygiène Publique signed in Rome; 1919, Health Organisation of the League of Nations that led to the creation of the body that developed into the WHO.

The WHO is governed by 193 member states through the World Health Assembly, meeting annually in Geneva. The Assembly manages three key roles: It legitimates the varied programs initiated by the organization, it agrees on budget policies, and it decides on key policy discussions that arise within the organization.

The organization prioritizes two key activities. (1) It advises and supports health systems in a variety of countries to develop health administration, delivery, and prevention. The use of health teams to combat specific health problems such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other communicable diseases are supported by projects that improve basic health needs such as sanitation, nutrition, and hygiene. (2) The organization has evolved into an intergovernmental [Page 2278]negotiating body that assists a variety of governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in seeking to regulate a range of sectors that affect health. This role is supported by the publication of health statistics and wide medical information that is used by a range of agencies formulating health policies. In the global health field, key demands include the following:

• Extensive work taking place at the country level in the community and with government—capacity building for local health care systems
• Health Action in Crisis (HAC)—managing emergency situations, coordinating response of governments, NGOs, and related agencies to prevent disease
• Advocacy for health care initiatives globally—lobbying, providing literature and educational material, publicity campaigns
• Working in collaboration—globally providing technical assistance and expertise to support WHO projects

While not a regulator in the rigid rule-making sense, the WHO is an important organization in shaping the regulatory conditions in a variety of sectors and settings, a role that establishes health-related compliance procedures such as influencing food management policies through its Food Safety Department. The public relations media arm of the United Nations is well served by goodwill ambassadors who raise the profile of the organization and the health-related matters it tackles.

Health is defined in the constitution of the organization as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The central aim of the institution is to promote high levels of health to all peoples. The impact and consequence of conflict should not go unnoticed. Psychological rehabilitation, mine victim support, and range of related health concerns noted in children and adults caught up in conflict between and within states proliferate in ongoing civil wars and social unrest.

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