“Are we able to reimagine a world where clean air, water and food are available to all?
Where economies are focused on health and well-being?
Where cities are liveable and people have control over their health and the health of the planet?”
WHO on World Health Day 2022.
World health day is celebrated on the account of the world health organisation's aim to focus on and discuss health-related issues and to raise awareness of particular health issues in the present situation.
The day is observed annually on April 7. The day was first observed in 1950 in the world health organisation's first health assembly after it was established in 1948. The theme for this year's World Health Day is “Our Planet, Our Health”.
“In the midst of a pandemic, a polluted planet, increasing diseases like cancer, asthma, and heart disease, on World Health Day 2022, WHO will focus global attention on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being.”- WHO
Climate change is directly connected to our health. According to WHO- ‘WHO estimates that more than 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable environmental causes. This includes the climate crisis which is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. The climate crisis is also a health crisis.’
According to WHO data on the top 10 causes of death, the data suggests-
‘The top global causes of death, in order of the total number of lives lost, are associated with three broad topics: cardiovascular (ischaemic heart disease, stroke), respiratory (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections) and neonatal conditions – which include birth asphyxia and birth trauma, neonatal sepsis and infections, and preterm birth complications.’
A polluted environment undoubtedly affects heart health and respiratory problem. Over 90% of people breathe unhealthy air. Extreme weather dynamics leading to affecting people’s health directly.
WHO said in the account of world health day 2022-
“While the COVID-19 pandemic showed us the healing power of science, it also highlighted the inequities in our world. The pandemic has revealed 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. The present design of the economy leads to inequitable distribution of income, wealth and power, with too many people still living in poverty and instability. A well-being economy has human well-being, equity and ecological sustainability as its goals. These goals are translated into long-term investments, well-being budgets, social protection and legal and fiscal strategies. Breaking these cycles of destruction for the planet and human health requires legislative action, corporate reform and individuals to be supported and incentivized to make healthy choices.”