World Health Organization (WHO)
What is the World Health Organization (WHO)?
The World Health Organization (WHO) is an international agency under the United Nations (UN) focusing on global health. The WHO works across countries to enhance individuals’ health and safety and serve vulnerable populations.
The WHO dedicates efforts to three main areas:
- Health and wellbeing
- Universal health coverage
- Health emergencies
The WHO also promotes mental health, addresses climate change for small island developing states, prevents non-communicable diseases, eliminates high-impact communicable diseases and addresses antimicrobial resistance.
Why is the World Health Organization (WHO) important to healthcare?
The World Health Organization (WHO) is important because it improves the health of individuals across the world by implementing health policies, adopting intersectoral approaches to health and focusing on social determinants of health. The WHO also prevents, prepares for and addresses emergencies. Last, the WHO increases access to medical care and coverage.