World Health Organization

Question 1

It is the world’s leading organization devoted to the improvement of the health of the world’s nearly seven billion people. It is the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations’ system.

Answer 1

The World Health Organization (WHO)

Question 2

It is the successor to the health organization of the League of Nations, which was formed in 1921, after WW1. It was founded on April 7, 1948, as a specialized agency of the UN. Every April 7th is celebrated as World Health Day.

Answer 2

The World Health Organization (WHO)

Question 3

Objective of WHO

Answer 3

The WHO’s Constitution states that its objective “is the attainment by all people of the highest possible of health”.

Question 4

Core functions

Answer 4

• providing leadership on matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed;
• shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge;
• setting norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation;
• articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options;
• providing technical support, catalyzing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity; and
• monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends.

Question 5

Who is the Director General of WHO?

Answer 5

Margaret Chan from Hong Kong