World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on April 7th. Created in 1950 by the World Health Organization as an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to an important global health subject each year. Every year a new medical and wellness subject is chosen. Previous years’ themes have included Universal Health Coverage (UHC), depression, diabetes, and food safety.

2021 Global Campaign

In 2021, World Health Day is highlighting health inequities, as part of a year-long global campaign. They ask people to come together to build a fairer, healthier world. They recognize “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.”

Why It Matters

COVID-19 has hit all countries hard, but its impact has been most severe in the communities that were already vulnerable. The communities more exposed to the disease, less likely to have access to quality health care services and more likely to suffer adverse consequences because of measures implemented to contain the pandemic. 

Promoting Health

Besides the important theme, World Health Day is about promoting health. That includes exercise, eating healthy, mental health, and more. It is customary to celebrate by participating in healthy activities. Ideal for forming new habits.

Ways to celebrate World Health Day:

• Bring in a basket of fresh fruit to share at work
• Begin a new exercise routine, recruit friends and family
• Send out “I appreciate you” cards
• Ask friends to share their favorite healthy recipes for World Health Day
• Start your morning with mindful meditation
• Get friends involved as exercise accountability partners
• Check on a coworker who has been feeling down lately
• Schedule a doctor appointment that you’d been putting off
• Address letters “to someone special” and mail to a retirement community. Include self-addressed stamped envelopes. You will gain senior pen pals!

Things To Remember

While you enjoy World Health Day activities, don’t forget to follow COVID safety guidelines. We have a vaccine, but the precautions are far from over.

Let’s celebrate the day. Let’s also keep in mind the theme for this year. Access and equality to healthcare, quality foods, the vaccine and a healthy environment is not easily accessible for many. Far too many.

Learn How You Can Help

Want to help? Visit the World Health Organization/World Health Day 2021 website.

Spread the wealth of health! Share this so that others are aware.