World Health Organisation
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Roles
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system.
It is responsible for
- providing leadership on global health matters and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed
- shaping the health research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge
- setting norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation
- articulating evidence-based policy options
- providing technical support to countries, catalysing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity
- monitoring and assessing health trends.
Six-point Agenda:
- Promoting development
- Fostering health security
- Strengthening health systems
- Harnessing research, information and evidence
- Enhancing partnerships
- Improving performance
Background
In the 21st century, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care and collective defence against transnational threats.
WHO operates in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing landscape. The boundaries of public health action have become blurred, extending into other sectors that influence health opportunities and outcomes. WHO responds to these challenges using a six-point agenda. The six points address two health objectives, two strategic needs, and two operational approaches. The overall performance of WHO will be measured by the impact of its work on women's health and health in Africa.
Members
All countries which are Members of the United Nations may become members of WHO by accepting its Constitution. Other countries may be admitted as members when their application has been approved by a simple majority vote of the World Health Assembly. A full list of the member states can be accessed via the WHO website.
Reporting Hierarchy
The World Health Assembly is the supreme decision-making body for WHO. It meets each year in May in Geneva, and is attended by delegations from all 193 Member States.
