We are one week away from the 2011 World Health Day! What, you have never heard of it? You are not doing anything to mark the day? What is World Health Day?
World Health Day is run by the World Health Organisation. Every year WHO highlight one specific part of human health. It is always held on the 7th April.
World Health Day is not a new event. It started in 1950 to mark the birthday of the World Health Organization.
Many events are organized by the WHO each year to mark World Health Day. Also local governments around the World organise their own events. One good example is the NHS in South East Essex that hold a Health Fair and Activity Day in the community to teach and introduce people to health and fitness.
“Health Fair and Activity Day at Belchamps Scout Centre with refreshment and craft tents, stalls, sideshows, live music, martial arts, gym, yoga, nutrition and health, beauty and massage and for the kids; face painting, egg decorating, Easter egg hunt, fancy dress competition, crate stacking, kick boxing, climbing, archery, mini crossbows, pedal karts, fencing lessons and much more.“
Previous years looked at “Urbanization and Health” (2010), “Save lives. Make hospitals safe in emergencies” (2009) and “Protecting health from climate change” (2008).
2011 is Antimicrobial Resistance
This April 7th the WHO will be highlighting the problem of Antimicrobial resistance.
“Antimicrobial resistance is not a new problem but one that is becoming more dangerous; urgent and consolidated efforts are needed to avoid regressing to the pre-antibiotic era.
On World Health Day 2011, WHO will introduce a six-point policy package to combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance.“
Antimicrobial resistance is when drugs become ineffective at treating illnesses. There is a real risk that in future years so many illnesses and infections will become untreatable as the rates of Antimicrobial resistance increase to epidemic proportions.
World Health Day 2011 will focus on bringing together world leaders and health advisors to formulate a global policy to help tackle the problem of increasing numbers of highly resistant microorganisms.
General Health and Fitness
For many other people World Healthy Day is an opportunity to highlight general health and fitness and to educate people that they can do to lead healthier lives.
Ultimately following a healthy diet, not smoking, moderating drinking and regular exercise are the 4 cornerstones of living a healthy and more rewarding life.
Learn more about this year’s World Health Day and also previous campaigns at http://www.who.int/world-health-day/en
Contact your local government to find out what is happening in your area.