World Health Day

Access to quality healthcare is essential for children to experience fullness of life. Yet globally, infectious diseases, including pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria, remain some of the leading cause of under-five deaths. Millions of childhood deaths are preventable with proper healthcare and medical treatments.

As a children’s health and nutrition charity, World Vision is partnering with communities to reach more children with quality healthcare, such as vaccines, medicines, or nutrients – all of which save lives. Learn more about World Health Day and how you can help children and mothers access the right kind of food and care they need to stay healthy.

What is World Health Day?

World Health Day is celebrated annually and draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. As a global day of awareness, World Health Day  commonly raises concerns for the millions of people across the globe who are vulnerable due to poor health or lack of nutritional food and drink.

One of the main aims of the day is to address health challenges that persist globally as a result of ongoing conflicts and the climate crisis, and the effect this has on the health of the population.

When is World Health Day?

World Health Day is on Sunday 7 April 2024.

World Health Day falls on Sunday 7 April, a date that marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.

Every year, the day provides an opportunity for communities, organisations and governments to work together to advocate for actions that can improve people's health around the world without the prospect of financial hardship.

What is the theme for World Health Day in 2024?

The theme for World Health Day 2024 is 'My health, my right’.

This year's theme brings attention to the need for health to be recognised as a human right. Every child deserves access to quality healthcare, as well as clean air, safe drinking water and nourishing food. Yet, ongoing conflicts and the climate crisis are causing devastating consequences to the accessibility and availability of healthcare.

The WHO found that at least 4.5 billion people - more than half the world's population - weren't fully covered by essential health services in 2021.

Climate change impacts children's health

Extreme weather events and climate shocks can cause water shortages, food insecurity and issues with sanitation, which drives diseases, under-nutrition and under-development. That's why World Vision is working to help vulnerable communities build their resilience to climate shocks with initiatives like agricultural training and income diversification.

In Mozambique, families are gradually recovering from the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which hit the country in March 2023. 

Thanks to generous supporters, World Vision was able to provide emergency assistance for those affected by this natural disaster. Xadinha, mother of four children, saw her home and livelihood destroyed, but we were able to support her with hygiene items like water containers and purifiers. 

"This will help me to prevent my children and family from getting water-related diseases. Now I no longer have to worry about how to prevent water related diseases such as cholera," she explains. 

In partnership with the government, World Vision is contributing to increased protection and access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene to reduce the risk of diseases.

Improving access to healthcare

Here at World Vision, we help promote and fund healthcare for all. In many low-income countries across the globe, public healthcare is non-existent, leading to an increased rate of health issues and diseases.

Thanks to the support of generous child sponsors and donations, we can reach more children with life-changing healthcare, food, and hygiene products. Alternatively, you can buy a charity gift to provide the likes of anti-bacterial soap, health kits and food for an entire family.

If you want to do your part to help on World Health Day, then why not consider sponsoring a child or sending a donation to World Vision and promote health for all?