about World Health Day?

> The global health awareness day is held on April 7 annually, under the sponsorship off the World Health Organization (WHO). This year marks its 70th anniversary. > The first World Health Assembly was held in Geneva by WHO in 1948, when it was decided that World Health Day would be on April 7.

> WHO is an agency of the United Nations that focuses on the public hhealthlh off thhe world at large. It putts together regional, loccal, and international evvents on this day related to that theme.

Local ggovvernments tend to jump on this bandwagon. After all, global health means everyone!

> The theme for each year varies to draw attention to current health issues. This year’s theme is “Universal health coverage: Everyone, Everywhere.”

> Since itts establishment, t bli h tW World ld Health Da ay has addressed serious healthh issues such as c chicken pox, polio, sm mallpox, tuberculo osis and leprosy in many d developing countries s. > Accord ding to WHO, Japanese e have the e highest healthy l ife expectan ncy at 74.9 yea ars. The lowe est is Sierra Leone at t 44.4 years.

Data in 2015 showed that life expectancy in Malaysia is 72.7 for men and 77.3 for women.

The same report stated the top causes of death were coronary heart disease, stroke and pneumonia.

> Throughout this 70th anniversary year, WHO wants world leaders to live up to their pledges in setting Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, namely to commit to actions to advance #HealthForAll.

> “Health for all” has been a guiding vision for more than seven decades, and is the impetus behind getting countries to move towards Universal Health Coverage. It t aims to ensure that health services are available to all, without suffering financial hardship in paying for them.