The World Health Assembly

 The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.

https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly/seventy-third-world-health-assembly

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.

 WHO reform

World health days

Report by the Director-General

INTRODUCTION

1. At its 146th session in February 2020, the Executive Board noted an earlier version of this

report,1,2

in which the Secretariat proposed to undertake a review of world health days, weeks, years or

decades, including through consultations with Member States, and to submit the study on assessing the

added value of, and guidance for, world health days to the Board at its 148th session in January 2021.

2. During the discussions at its 146th session, however, the Board requested the Secretariat to

accelerate this process and present its findings to the Seventy-third World Health Assembly.2 This

updated version of the report includes the key findings of an internal review conducted by the Secretariat

in March 2020 and provides additional guidance to the Health Assembly.

SITUATION ANALYSIS

3. In the light of the recent proliferation of world and regional health days, weeks, months, years

and decades (hereafter referred to as observances), and in response to the request of the Board at its

146th session, the Secretariat conducted an internal review of the observances it marks. During this

process, the Secretariat:

(a) reviewed information on existing world and regional observances, including their dates of

establishment and founding organizations, and considered the Secretariat’s role and engagement,

including the advocacy and communications approaches applied by the Secretariat;

(b) reviewed relevant mandates arising from resolutions or decisions adopted by the Health

Assembly, WHO regional committees and the United Nations General Assembly;

(c) considered whether the observances play a useful role in driving programmatic (technical),

policy and Member State actions to attain global and regional goals; and

1 Document EB146/36.

2 See the summary records of the Executive Board at its 146th session, fourteenth meeting, section 5, and fifteenth

meeting, section 2.

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(d) reviewed the main challenges preventing stronger engagement of the Secretariat in some

of these observances, as well as the financial and human resources needed to plan, conduct and

measure the impact of campaigns related to observances.

4. The Secretariat has also generated significant knowledge on designing “decades of action” and

building broad-based coalitions of Member States, entities of the United Nations system and other

stakeholders for implementation through its recent work on the development of a proposal for a Decade

of Healthy Ageing 2020–2030.1

KEY FINDINGS

5. Summary. The internal review showed that world and regional observances can be powerful

tools to raise awareness of priority public health issues, and that the overall communications approach

of the Secretariat2

enables the Organization to reach all key target audiences and constituencies with

evidence-based public health messages. However, the review also showed that the success of campaigns

depends on a number of additional factors, including: relevance of the subject and prioritization of the

subject and the campaign by countries; agreement by key stakeholders on clear goals and objectives;

having effective planning and project management mechanisms in place; and sufficient financial and

human resources being allocated to campaign planning, management and evaluation.

6. Health-related observances mandated through the United Nations General Assembly and

Health Assembly. The Secretariat noted that WHO is receiving an increasing number of mandates on

observances through the United Nations General Assembly, including observances for which WHO has

been requested to co-lead with another United Nations specialized agency.3 Since September 2015, more

health-related observances have been established by the United Nations General Assembly than by the

Health Assembly. The United Nations General Assembly has established four observances: the United

Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025) (resolution 70/259 (2016)), International Universal

Health Coverage Day (resolution 72/138 (2017)), World Braille Day (resolution 73/161 (2018)) and

World Food Safety Day (resolution 73/250 (2018)). Over the same time period, the Health Assembly

has established three observances: International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife (2020) (decision

WHA72(19) (2019)), World Chagas Disease Day (decision WHA72(20) (2019)) and World Patient

Safety Day (resolution WHA72.6 (2019)).

7. Main challenges. The review has confirmed that there is a need to establish a clear prioritization

of observances and to clarify the Secretariat’s role in relation to that of non-State actors, including the

modalities of the Secretariat’s support to observances. Regarding challenges faced by the Secretariat, it

was found that many WHO campaigns are planned within a short time frame, leaving insufficient time

to translate core materials into all official languages and to adapt materials to regional and country

contexts. Planning is often hampered by the lack of a systematic approach to such campaigns across the

1 See document EB146/23 for further details on conceptualizing and developing a proposal for the Decade of Healthy

Ageing 2020–2030.

2 Before each campaign, the Secretariat determines the specific objectives and goals, creates a tailor-made

communication package for key target audiences, and disseminates the packages through a diverse range of channels and

platforms. Generally, core materials are produced by WHO headquarters and disseminated to regional and country offices for

adaptation. From among the many world observances, regional offices choose their own priorities. Some regional offices

have established regional observances (see the Annex, categories 2 and 3). WHO materials are shared with governments,

nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, philanthropic foundations, private sector entities, as well as media

organizations, WHO Goodwill Ambassadors and the general public.

3 For example, WHO and FAO were invited to jointly facilitate the observance of World Food Safety Day, in

collaboration with other relevant organizations (United Nations General Assembly resolution 73/250 (2018)).

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three levels of the Organization and limited availability of human and financial resources. It was also

found that evaluation has not been an integral component of all campaigns, making comparison across

campaigns and over time problematic.

8. Updated list of observances marked by the Secretariat. After completing its review, the

Secretariat updated the list of world and regional observances it regularly marks (see the Annex). This

supersedes the list in document EB144/39 Rev.1 on world health days. It includes over 100 observances

in seven categories, depending on the mandate received and the focus of the observance. Of the 76

health-related observances regularly marked by the Secretariat, 13 have been mandated by the Health

Assembly or WHO regional committees, and seven have been initiated or otherwise supported by the

Secretariat. The Secretariat also marks 20 observances established by the United Nations General

Assembly and other international organizations, and supports 36 observances established by non-State

actors. In addition, the review identified 28 world observances, which – while not focused strictly on

health – provide the Secretariat with opportunities to advocate action on critical public health issues. As

new observances may be established in the coming years, the Secretariat proposes to update this list

annually.

9. Financial implications of existing and future observances. The Secretariat’s resource

requirements for campaign planning, management and evaluation depend on the health topic, the

Secretariat’s role in the campaign and the length of the campaign. The Secretariat estimates that at least

US$ 150 000 would be needed annually per campaign, to be divided among headquarters and regional

offices, for activities to plan, manage and evaluate Health Assembly-mandated and other priority

campaigns. Such resources are, however, rarely available. In 2019, headquarters’ spending on most

Health Assembly-mandated campaigns was between US$ 15 000 and US$ 50 000.1 The highest amount

spent on a campaign was US$ 70 000 (World Health Day campaign, 7 April 2019, on the theme of

universal health coverage).

10. In addition, over the past year, the Secretariat has estimated that headquarters and regional offices

would need a total of US$ 1.6 million for a year-long campaign to mark the International Year of the

Nurse and the Midwife (2020) and US$ 0.98 million per biennium for a campaign built around a

potential World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day. At present, Member States receive information on

the financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat only for observances that are proposed

for consideration by the Health Assembly; there is no process in place to inform Member States about

the financial implications of other campaigns.

RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE SECRETARIAT

11. Application of a differentiated approach. The Secretariat proposes to establish clear priorities

and apply a differentiated approach regarding its engagement in world and regional observances. It

would prioritize the 20 observances established by the Health Assembly, WHO regional committees or

the Secretariat (Annex, categories 1–3). The Secretariat would also continue to prioritize a number of

additional observances devoted to health that seek to advance priorities established by WHO’s General

Programme of Work, or where WHO is invited to observe or facilitate an observance through a relevant

resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, provided that the Secretariat has adequate funding

and partnership arrangements in place.

1 At the time of writing, consolidated information on campaign spending was not available from WHO regional

offices.

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12. The Secretariat will introduce a standardized approach to strategically plan, manage and evaluate

priority campaigns in order to maximize impact at the country level. Headquarters will develop an

essential communications package in all relevant official languages and disseminate the packages to

WHO regional and country offices and non-State actors in a timely manner. As requested by Member

States, the theme of World Health Day will be announced during the Health Assembly of the preceding

year.1 For observances that do not fall into the prioritized group, the Secretariat will keep its support to

a minimum (for example, dissemination of key messages through social media).

13. Consultation with other entities of the United Nations system. In the light of the ongoing

reform of the United Nations and the agreed priorities of the global action plan for healthy lives and

well-being for all, the Secretariat proposes to leverage existing platforms for dialogue and initiate a

consultation with other entities of the United Nations system, with a view to making joint campaigns

more effective and the process for establishing of new observances more consistent. The Secretariat

proposes a timeline of one year to conduct this dialogue.

14. Recommendations regarding prioritization of proposals by Member States. The Secretariat

recommends that proposals for world health observances focus on emerging priorities and global health

challenges, or priorities highlighted in WHO’s General Programme of Work, or health issues on which

there has been insufficient progress despite the existence of a Health Assembly-endorsed global strategy

or action plan. This would allow Member States and the Secretariat to expand advocacy and

communications-related action on topics already identified as priorities. Any related resolution or

decision by the Health Assembly should contain a paragraph highlighting the Secretariat’s role regarding

the proposed observance (for example, setting the theme of an annual campaign and leading the

development of evidence-based public health messages). Member States may consider adopting at WHO

regional committees regional observances on topics that are unique to a specific region.

ACTION BY THE HEALTH ASSEMBLY

15. The Health Assembly is invited to note the report and may wish to provide further guidance on:

• whether Member States wish to consider sunsetting any existing Health Assembly-mandated

observances;

• what criteria the governing bodies should use when considering new proposals for World

Health Days; and

• whether there is a need to further strengthen coordination between Member States and the

Secretariat on the planning of new health-related observances.

.

1 See document EB144/2019/REC2, summary records of the Executive Board at its 144th session, fourteenth

meeting, section 1.

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ANNEX

OBSERVANCES MARKED BY THE SECRETARIAT

This updated list of observances marked by the Secretariat is separated into seven categories,

depending on the mandate received and the focus of the event (Table). Categories 1 to 6 contain

observances devoted to health, while category 7 contains observances which, while not strictly devoted

to health, are often used for public health advocacy. While every attempt has been made to include all

relevant observances, the list, which contains over 100 observances, may not be exhaustive.

Table. Observances marked by the Secretariat, by category

Category 1. World observances (devoted to health) mandated by the Health Assembly (n = 11)

• World AIDS Daya

• World Blood Donor Dayb

• World Chagas Disease Dayc

• World Health Dayd

• World Hepatitis Daye

• World Malaria Dayf

• World No Tobacco Dayg

• World Patient Safety Dayh

• World Tuberculosis Dayi

• World Immunization Weekj

• International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife (2020)k

Category 2. Regional observances (devoted to health) mandated by WHO regional committees (n = 2)

• African Traditional Medicine Dayl

• Regional immunization weeksm

Category 3. World or regional observances (devoted to health) initiated or otherwise supported by the Secretariat

(n = 7)

• World Hand Hygiene Day

• World Hearing Day

• European Flu Awareness Week

• International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action

• World Antibiotic Awareness Week

• World Breastfeeding Week

• Decade of Patient Safety 2020–2030

Category 4. Observances (devoted to health) established by the United Nations General Assembly, other entities of

the United Nations system or other intergovernmental organizations (n = 20)

• ASEAN Dengue Day (ASEAN)

• International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (UNGA)

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities (UNGA)

• International Day of Yoga (UNGA)

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• International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (UNGA)

• International Universal Health Coverage Day (UNGA)

• World Autism Awareness Day (UNGA)

• World Braille Day (UNGA)

• World Day for Safety and Health at Work (ILO)

• World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (UNGA)

• World Diabetes Day (UNGA)

• World Down Syndrome Day (UNGA)

• World Food Safety Day (UNGA)

• World Sickle Cell Day (UNGA)

• World Toilet Day (UNGA)

• Zero Discrimination Day (UNAIDS)

• United Nations Global Road Safety Week (UNGA)

• Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011–2020) (UNGA)

• International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” (2018–2028) (UNGA)

• United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025) (UNGA)

Category 5. Observances (devoted to health) established by non-State actors in official relations with WHO (n =

17)

• International Childhood Cancer Day

• International Day of the Midwife

• International Epilepsy Day

• International Nurses Day

• World Cancer Day

• World Heart Day

• World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

• World Hypertension Day

• World Kidney Day

• World Leprosy Day

• World Lung Day

• World Mental Health Day

• World Obesity Day

• World Oral Health Day

• World Rabies Day

• World Sight Day

• World Suicide Prevention Day

Category 6. Observances (devoted to health) established by non-State actors not in official relations with WHO (n

= 19)

• International Condom Day

• International Day for Maternal Health and Rights

• International Overdose Awareness Day

• International Safe Abortion Day

• International Snakebite Awareness Day

• World Alzheimer’s Day

• World Asthma Day

• World Birth Defects Day

• World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day

• World Contraception Day

• World Pneumonia Day

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• World Polio Day

• World Prematurity Day

• World Sepsis Day

• World Sexual Health Day

• World Stroke Day

• World Health Worker Week

• 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

• Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Category 7. Other observances (not strictly devoted to health) but often used for public health advocacy (n = 28)

• Human Rights Day (UNGA)

• International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (UNGA)

• International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNGA)

• International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict (UNGA)

• International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (UNGA)

• International Day of Education (UNGA)

• International Day of Medical Physics (other)

• International Day of Older Persons (UNGA)

• International Day of Radiology (other)

• International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (UNGA)

• International Day of the Girl Child (UNGA)

• International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (UNGA)

• International Mother Earth Day (UNGA)

• International Women’s Day (UNGA)

• International Workers’ Day (other)

• International Youth Day (UNGA)

• United Nations Day (UNGA)

• World Bicycle Day (UNGA)

• World Children’s Day (UNGA)

• World Cities Day (UNGA)

• World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (UNGA)

• World Environment Day (UNGA)

• World Food Day (FAO)

• World Humanitarian Day (UNGA)

• World Population Day (UNDP)

• World Refugee Day (UNGA)

• World Water Day (UNGA)

• Decade of Action (United Nations Secretary-General)

UNGA: United Nations General Assembly.

a Resolution WHA42.33 (1989).

b Resolution WHA58.13 (2005).

c Decision WHA72(20) (2019).

d Resolution WHA2.35 (1949).

e Resolution WHA63.18 (2010).

f Resolution WHA60.18 (2007).

g Resolution WHA42.19 (1989).

h Resolution WHA72.6 (2019).

i Resolution WHA50.21 (1997).

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j Resolution WHA65.18 (2012).

k Decision WHA72(19) (2019).

l Regional Committee for Africa resolution AFR/RC50/R3 (2000).

m PAHO Directing Council resolution CD44.R1 (2003), Regional Committee for Europe resolution EUR/RC55/R7 (2005)

and AFRO Regional Committee for Africa resolution AFR/RC60/R4 (2010).