The World Health Organization (WHO, website), since its establishment on April 7, 1948, has been the torchbearer for global health and well-being. As the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations system, the WHO has played a crucial role in shaping health policies worldwide, ensuring that everyone can attain the highest possible level of health.
Born out of the need to combat cross-border health emergencies and promote universal healthcare, the WHO has grown from a modest organization to a global health leader. It has been instrumental in eradicating diseases, advancing public health, and responding to health emergencies across continents.
The WHO’s role extends beyond mere advisement; it acts as an advocate for universal healthcare, monitors health trends, sets norms, articulates evidence-based policy options, provides technical support to countries, and monitors and assesses health trends. Through its comprehensive role, the WHO has become a pillar in the global health policy landscape.
Monitoring is the linchpin in the functioning of the WHO, enabling it to assess health situations and trends to respond promptly and efficiently. This continual process of gathering, analyzing, and using data is vital for the development of informed policies and the allocation of resources where they are most needed.
For public affairs professionals, the importance of monitoring the WHO’s activities is paramount. It allows for proactive engagement with health policy developments, ensuring that relevant stakeholders can contribute to and influence health policy discourse effectively.
In the sphere of international health policy, there are several bodies with missions akin to that of the WHO:
Worldwide:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Focuses on public health and safety by providing critical health information.
- International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – Delivers emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education in communities affected by disaster or conflict.
Within Europe:
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) – Strengthens Europe’s defenses against infectious diseases. (available on welcome.policy-insider.ai/)
- European Medicines Agency (EMA) – Evaluates and supervises medicinal products for the benefit of public health in the EU.
The WHO’s timeline is dotted with significant policy achievements, including:
- Leading the successful global smallpox eradication campaign.
- Developing the International Health Regulations (IHR).
- Launching the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
The WHO’s enduring commitment to global health has made it a stalwart in international policy-making. Its meticulous monitoring and robust policy frameworks continue to guide the world towards better health outcomes, underscoring the need for continuous engagement and vigilance in health policies.
The following documents are available on/through welcome.policy-insider.ai/ and will e.g. be included in your alerts.
Executive Board Documents:
- WHO Executive Board Agendas
- WHO Executive Board Annexes
- WHO Executive Board Confirmation of Amendments
- WHO Executive Board Decisions
- WHO Executive Board Evaluation: Annual Reports
- WHO Executive Board Information Documents
- WHO Executive Board Provisional Agendas
- WHO Executive Board Reports by the Director-General
- WHO Executive Board Reports by the Secretariat
- WHO Executive Board Reports of the Executive Board
- WHO Executive Board Resolutions
- WHO Executive Board Written Statements
World Health Assembly Documents:
- World Health Assembly Agendas
- World Health Assembly Annexes
- World Health Assembly Audited Financial Statements
- World Health Assembly Awards
- World Health Assembly Conference Papers
- World Health Assembly Decisions
- World Health Assembly Draft Decisions
- World Health Assembly Draft Resolutions
- World Health Assembly Executive Summaries
- World Health Assembly Guides for Delegates
- World Health Assembly Journals
- World Health Assembly Lists of Decisions and Resolutions
- World Health Assembly Programme Budgets
- World Health Assembly Proposed Programme Budgets
- World Health Assembly Provisional Agendas
Regional Office Publications and Reports:
- WHO Regional Office for Africa Publications
- WHO Regional Office for Europe Publications
- WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia Publications
- WHO Regional Office for the Americas Stories
- WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Publications
- WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific Bulletins and Newsletters
- Country Cooperation Strategies (Combined from all regions)
- Country Offices Documents (Combined from all regions)
- Regional Committee Documents (Combined from all regions)
- Technical Documents (Combined from all regions)
Communications and News:
- WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Publications
- WHO Regional Office for Africa Feature Stories
- WHO Regional Office for Africa News Releases
- WHO Regional Office for Europe News
- WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia News Releases
- WHO Regional Office for the Americas News Releases
- WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean News
- WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific News Releases
- World Health Organization News Releases
- World Health Organization Feature Stories
Speeches, Statements, and Commentaries:
- WHO Regional Office for Africa Speeches and Messages
- WHO Regional Office for Africa Statements
- WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia Speeches and Messages
- WHO Regional Office for the Americas Commentaries and Speeches
- WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Speeches
- WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific Speeches
- World Health Organization Speeches
- World Health Organization Commentaries
Journal Articles and Health Journals:
- WHO Regional Office for Africa Journal Articles
- WHO Regional Office for Europe Journal Articles
- WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health
- WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Journal Articles (EMHJ)
- World Health Organization Journal Articles
- World Health Organization Journal Articles – Bulletin
Specific Health Topic Publications and Bulletins:
- African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) Documents
- WHO South-East Asia Dengue Bulletin
- WHO South-East Asia Advisory Committee on Health Research Documents
- WHO South-East Asia Advocacy Documents-SEARO
- WHO South-East Asia Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies
- WHO South-East Asia Technical Briefs
Miscellaneous Reports and Strategies:
- WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia High-Level Preparatory (HLP) Meeting
- WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia Reports of the Sub-Committee on Policy and Programme Development and Management
- WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Meeting Reports
- WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Representatives’ Meeting Reports
- WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific Meeting Reports
- World Health Assembly Reports by the Director-General
- World Health Assembly Reports by the Secretariat
