The World Health Organization commemorates World Health Day 2022 with its global attention focusing on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy.
This year World Health Day falls in a period when the globe is in the midst of a pandemic, a polluted planet, increasing diseases like cancer, asthma and heart diseases.
World Health Organization records more than 13 million deaths around the world annually caused by avoidable environmental causes.
A report by The United Nations states that the Covid-19 pandemic revealed the healing power of science as well as highlighted inequities in our world.
“The pandemic has shown us the weaknesses in all areas of society and underlined the urgency of creating sustainable well-being societies committed to achieving equitable health now and for future generations without breaching ecological limits,” read the report.
The World Health Organization urges governments and the public to share stories of steps they are taking to protect the planet, and the health of their citizens and prioritize well-being of societies.
Governments are also expected to stop fuel subsidies and invest in fossil fuel subsidies for public health, tax polluters and reduce air pollution levels to reduce the burden of disease from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases including asthma.
Corporations are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of their activities, ensure safe water is accessible for workers and remove highly processed and packaged foods from the workplace in order to protect the health of their workers.
A report by The World Health Organization expects health workers and health facilities to be at the forefront in advocating for health while being at the centre of climate change policies.
“Health workers should support efforts to reduce health care waste, decarbonize health facilities, provide sustainably grown local food and ensure healthy food choices by reducing highly processed and packaged food in health facilities,” reads part of the report.
“They should also identify opportunities to save energy, ensure safe clean water at health facilities and support purchase of environmentally friendly products that are easily recyclable or reusable.”
According to WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti one in every three Africans faces water scarcity.
About 400 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa alone lack basic access to drinking water.
About 45% of all child deaths are also associated with malnutrition, which is known to be linked to diarrhoea.
This year, the World Health Organization is urging all individuals to take action and inspire others by protecting their health by eating healthy, buying less plastic, changing to renewable energy sources and keeping fit.
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