World Health Day [April 7] - Theme, Significance, History

On World Health Day, April 7, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) will mark its 75th anniversary. Several countries of the world came together to form WHO, a special United Nations agency in 1948, to promote health and well-being. The theme of World Health Day 2023 will be “Health For All”.

Every year, World Health Day initiates dialogue on a topic of concern related to global health. All Member States of the United Nations observe this day annually on April 7. In this article, we have shared more about World Health Day, its theme, history and significance.

World Health Day 2023

WHO names World Health Day as one of its 11 global health campaigns. Governments and organizations interested in public health and welfare celebrate this day annually on April 7. This day is also known as International Health Day and is observed by all UN Member States.

Get a brief overview of what World Health Day is all about by going through the information shared below.

World Health Day Theme 2023

World Health Day 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization. This year, the theme of World Health day 2023 is “Health For All”. This theme highlights the fact that World Health Organization has been on a mission to achieve Health for All. 

Every year a theme is decided for World Health Day. The theme depends on the issues prevailing in different nations during that year. We have shared some of the previous years’ themes here:

• World Health Day theme 2022 was "Our Planet, Our Health". This theme highlighted that climate change is not just impacting the health of the planet but is also adversely affecting the health of people living on this planet.
• World Health Day Theme 2021 was "Building a fairer, healthier world for everyone." This theme brings about the challenge of providing accessible healthcare to all people irrespective of their income status, gender, caste, etc.

World Health Day Theme 2013 to 2023

Check out the previous World Health Day themes for the years 2013–2023 below.

World Health Day - History

The idea of observing World Health Day was first conceptualised in 1948 during the first Health Assembly by the WHO. Here, we have shared details about the complete history of this day.

• The decision to commemorate World Health Day came into effect in 1950.
• The day is celebrated as the anniversary of the foundation of the World Health Organisation in the year 1948.
• April 7 was declared World Health Day unanimously in Geneva during the World Health Assembly in 1948.

World Health Day - Significance

• World Health Day aims to build awareness and then highlight the world's primary health concerns to the World Health Organisation.
• Several health issues have seen the light of day as people have highlighted their importance to the medical bodies on this particular date.
• These issues include mental health, child care, women's care, etc.
• The World Health organisation was established on World Health Day in 1948.
• People from different communities, health organisations, etc., celebrate this day.
• Also, World Health Day becomes an occasion of discussion for deadly diseases like smallpox, leprosy, etc.

World Health Day 2020

The year 2020 is considered a crucial year as the year was also named the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. World Health Day 2020 highlighted the important roles that nurses and homemakers play in the economy and keep everyone around them healthy.

• WHO also made some recommendations on how the community of nurses and midwives can be made stronger and more self-reliant.
• The "State of the World's Nursing 2020" report was launched on World Health Day in 2020.
• COVID-19 highlighted the role of nurses and midwives in making the healthcare system stronger.
• International Health Day is an important event as different health issues are brought in front of the bodies responsible for regulating the health of the people of the world.
• Moreover, it is also a day of remembrance of the establishment of the WHO.

FAQs on World Health Day

Q1. When is World Health Day celebrated?

World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7. Sponsored by the World Health Organization, this day initiates a conversation about a major global health concern each year. This year, World Health Day will mark the 75th founding anniversary of the World Health Organization.

Q2. What is the theme of World Health Day 2023?

World Health Day Theme 2023 is “Health for All”. This year’s World Health Day marks the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO). So, this year’s theme highlights the fact that WHO has been on a mission to make healthcare accessible and convenient for all.

Q3. Who created World Health Day?

World Health Day was conceptualised during the first World Health Assembly in 1948. The Assembly announced that World Health Day will be celebrated every year from 1950 onwards, on April 7. Each year, the World Health Organization sponsors World Health Day events.

Q4. When was World Health Day first celebrated?

World Health Day was first celebrated in the year 1950. This day marks the date of the establishment of the World Health Organization. World Health Day is also one of the 11 sponsored public health campaigns of the World Health Organization.

Q5. Why is April 7 celebrated as World Health Day?

April 7 commemorates the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Health Day is celebrated to mark this occasion. On April 7, 1948, the United Nations’ special agency, World Health Organisation was officially established.

Q6. What was the theme of World Health Day 2022?

The theme of World Health Day 2022 was "Our Planet, Our Health." This theme highlighted that we should care about the health of our planet as we care about our health. Every year, the World Health Organization announces a new theme on World Health Day.