Health

Vismita Gupta-Smith

WHO’s latest report is urging all of us to reduce salt in our diet.

What happens when we consume too much salt?

How would we know if we are consuming too much salt and what can we do to reduce it?

WHO’s Dr. Francesco Branca explains to Vismita Gupta-Smith in Science in 5.

Illustration of the different stakeholders getting together to end TB.

World Tuberculosis Day 2023 aims to encourage leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations, adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and collaboration to combat the TB epidemic. This year is critical, with opportunities to raise visibility and political commitment at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB. WHO will issue a call to action with partners to accelerate the rollout of shorter all-oral treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB. World TB Day is observed on 24 March, marking the day in 1882 when the bacterium causing TB was discovered.

A group of smiling children in school uniform

According to the new WHO progress report, “Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2023”, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) continue to disproportionately affect the poorest members of the global community, primarily in areas where water safety, sanitation and access to health care are inadequate. Around 1.65 billion people were estimated to require treatment for at least one NTD. However, progress is being made, by the end of 2022, 47 countries had eliminated at least one NTD and more countries were in the process of achieving this target.

Cartoon of children eating in a school cantine.

Globally, 149 million children under the age of 5 are too small for their age, 40 million overweight, many millions suffering from key nutrient deficiencies. Healthy diets are essential. Make healthy eating a habit!

A portrait of women with their face painted white with a vertical line of white dots, covering one eye with a hand painted red with a vertical line of black dots.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are widespread in the world’s poorest regions, where water safety, sanitation and access to health care are less than optimal. NTDs affect over 1 billion people and are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins. These diseases are “neglected” because they are almost absent from the global health agenda, receive little funding and are associated with stigma and social exclusion. This World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day join us to act and invest in eradication of NTDs.

WHO’s 75th anniversary year is an opportunity to look back at public health successes that have improved quality of life during the last seven decades. It is also an opportunity to motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today and tomorrow.

a nurse holds up a baby in front of the mother

WHO reports on children’s chances of survival in 2021 - an estimated 5 million children died before their fifth birthday and another 2.1 million children and youth aged 5–24 years lost their lives.

three ladies stand in front of a table with fabrics of African patterns

COVID-19 will not be the last epidemic or pandemic humanity faces. As a global community, we must heed the harsh lessons of COVID-19 and make bold investments in pandemic preparedness, prevention and response. A pandemic cannot be fought country by country. The world must come together. COVID-19 was a wake-up call. On this International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, we urge all countries to stand with our efforts to ensure the world is equipped and ready to take on the health challenges to come.

Alisson Becker, goalkeeper for Brazil and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, urges people around the world to be active and play their part to make health for all the number one goal. Universal health coverage ensures that everyone can access the support they need to be and stay healthy without being driven into financial hardship.  Learn more about what WHO is doing to build a healthy future for all.

Didier Drogba on screen at World Cup

On the eve of the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup, WHO teams up with Didier Drogba and other international football icons to urge action by governments and people across the world to achieve health for all. 

A baby looks up while a hand measures her upper arm with a measuring tool.

Universal health coverage and health security are intertwined goals to protect everyone, everywhere, in crisis and calm. For health systems to work, they must work for everyone. Equitable health coverage puts women, children, and the most vulnerable first because they face the most significant barriers to essential care. Join us on this International Universal Health Coverage Day (12 December) to demand action on universal health coverage and call on leaders to invest in health systems and primary healthcare for all, to leave no one behind. Our lives, livelihoods and futures depend on it.

A little smiles showing her missing baby teeth.

A new WHO report  provides the first-ever comprehensive picture of oral disease burden giving unique insights into key areas and markers of oral health that are relevant for decision-makers.

At UNOPS we're working with partners on projects that help tackle some of the world’s biggest health challenges, providing our expertise and experience in delivering resilient infrastructure, sustainable procurement solutions and more.

soccer player high-fiving with child

FIFA and WHO launched the #BringTheMoves challenge, encouraging players at the FIFA World Cup 2022™ to meet the celebration challenges presented to them on social media by fans across the globe and encourage youngsters to #BeActive.