World Health Day
April 7, 2013

Celebrated each year on the anniversary of the creation of the World Health Organization, World Health Day was established by the United Nations in an effort to draw attention to health issues that have global impact.  Equally important is the goal of encouraging collective action in protecting people’s health and well-being.   Each year a different theme is identified to highlight a specific priority of the WHO.  

This year, World Health Day will focus attention on Aging and Health.  Past themes have included Healthy Environments for Children, Health and Climate Change, Fitness and Healthy Lifestyles and Antimicrobial Resistance: No Action – No Cure.

 World Health Day offers teachers and students an excellent opportunity to explore these and other health-related issues that are impacting upon themselves and their community.  

Why care about World Health Day?

  • One billion people currently lack access to health care systems.
  • Over 7.5 million children under the age of 5 die from preventable diseases, each year.
  • 1.6 million people die from pneumococcal diseases every year, making it the number one vaccine-preventable cause of death worldwide.
  • Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death.  It accounts for 30% of all deaths, globally.  More Canadian women than men died of CVD in 2008.
  • There are over 9 million new cases of tuberculosis reported annually.  The rate of TB infection in Canada’s Inuit population is 186 times that of Canadian born non-Aboriginals. (Globe and Mail, 2010)
  • Aging concerns all of us – whether young or old, male or female, rich or poor – no matter where we live.
  • The rate at which our population is aging is unprecedented and without parallel in human history.  By 2025 one in five Canadians will be over the age of 65.
  • The health of an aging population has significant implications for society, the economy and the environment. 
  • Good health throughout life can help older men and women lead full and productive lives and serve as a resource for their families and communities.

 

Resources 4 Rethinking encourages students and teachers to participate in World Health Day. Top R4R Picks will connect you to some excellent resources to support these efforts.

 

For More Information on World Health Day 2012 and Health Issues in Canada, check out: