April 7 is World Health Day
armradio.am
05.04.2008 13:51
World Health Day, on 7 April, marks the founding of the World Health
Organization and is an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to a
subject of major importance to global health each year. In 2008, World
Health Day focuses on the need to protect health from the adverse
effects of climate change.
The theme `protecting health from climate change’ puts health at the
centre of the global dialogue about climate change. WHO selected this
theme in recognition that climate change is posing ever growing threats
to global public health security.
Through increased collaboration, the global community will be better
prepared to cope with climate-related health challenges worldwide.
Examples of such collaborative actions are: strengthening surveillance
and control of infectious diseases, ensuring safer use of diminishing
water supplies, and coordinating health action in emergencies.
The objective of World Health Day 2008 is to catalyse public
participation in the global campaign to protect health from the adverse
effects of climate change. WHO aims to put public health at the centre
of the UN agenda on climate change.
This is an opportunity for the international agencies, nongovernmental
organizations, and governments as well as WHO to:
¢ Establish links between climate change and health and other
development areas such as environment, food, energy, transport;
¢ Hold events/activities in countries to publicize issues related to
the impact of climate change on health;
¢ Involve as wide a spectrum of the world population as possible in
efforts to stabilize climate change;
¢ Create advocacy campaigns for generating momentum that compels
governments, the international community, civil society and individuals
to take action;
¢ Protect poor and vulnerable populations from the effects of climate
change, especially in Africa.