Hand hygiene saves millions of lives every year when performed at the right moments during health care delivery. It is also a smart investment that offers exceptional return for each dollar invested. Clean care is a sign of respect to those who seek care, and it protects health and other workers who provide that care. Together, on World Hand Hygiene Day 2023, we can accelerate action to prevent infections and antimicrobial resistance in health care. We can build a culture of safety and quality in which hand hygiene improvement is given high priority.

World Immunization Week, celebrated in the last week of April, aims to highlight the collective action needed to protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases. We need to act now to catch-up the millions of children who missed out on vaccines during the pandemic, restore essential immunization coverage to at least 2019 levels, and strengthen primary health care to deliver immunization. The ultimate goal of the observance is for more children, adults and their communities to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, allowing them to live happier, healthier lives.

Smallpox was one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity and caused millions of deaths before it was eradicated. It is believed to have existed for at least 3000 years. The first successful vaccine was developed in 1796. In 1967, widespread immunization and surveillance were conducted around the world for several years. In 1980 WHO declared smallpox eradicated.

WHO’s 75th anniversary year is an opportunity to look back at public health successes that have improved quality of life during the last seven decades. World Health Day 2023, also celebrates this anniversary and provides an opportunity to motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today and tomorrow.  #HealthForAll #WHO75

Large numbers of people are affected by infertility, according to a new report by WHO. Around 17.5% of the adult population – roughly 1 in 6 worldwide – experience infertility, showing the urgent need to increase access to affordable, high-quality fertility care. The new estimates show limited variation of infertility between regions. The rates are comparable for high-, middle- and low-income countries, indicating that this is a major health challenge globally. Lifetime prevalence was 17.8% in high-income countries and 16.5% in low- and middle-income countries.

On this year’s World Health Day, the World Health Organization observes its 75th anniversary. In 1948, countries of the world came together and founded WHO to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health and well-being. WHO’s 75th anniversary year is an opportunity to look back at public health successes that have improved quality of life during the last seven decades. It is also an opportunity to motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today and tomorrow.

WHO’s latest report is urging all of us to reduce salt in our diet.

What happens when we consume too much salt?

How would we know if we are consuming too much salt and what can we do to reduce it?

WHO’s Dr. Francesco Branca explains to Vismita Gupta-Smith in Science in 5.

World Tuberculosis Day 2023 aims to encourage leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations, adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and collaboration to combat the TB epidemic. This year is critical, with opportunities to raise visibility and political commitment at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB. WHO will issue a call to action with partners to accelerate the rollout of shorter all-oral treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB. World TB Day is observed on 24 March, marking the day in 1882 when the bacterium causing TB was discovered.

According to the new WHO progress report, “Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2023”, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) continue to disproportionately affect the poorest members of the global community, primarily in areas where water safety, sanitation and access to health care are inadequate. Around 1.65 billion people were estimated to require treatment for at least one NTD. However, progress is being made, by the end of 2022, 47 countries had eliminated at least one NTD and more countries were in the process of achieving this target.

5 billion people globally remain unprotected from harmful trans fat, increasing their risk of heart disease and death, a new status report from WHO has found. “Trans fat has no known benefit, and huge health risks that incur huge costs for health systems,” said WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros A. Ghebreyesus. “By contrast, eliminating trans fat is cost effective and has enormous benefits for health. Put simply, trans fat is a toxic chemical that kills, and should have no place in food. It’s time to get rid of it once and for all.”

Industrially produced trans fat (trans-fatty acids) is commonly found in packaged foods, baked goods, cooking oils and spreads. Globally, trans fat intake is responsible for up to 500 000 premature deaths each year. In 2023, WHO recommends countries focus on: adopting best-practice policy, monitoring and surveillance, healthy oil replacements and advocacy. WHO guidance helps countries make rapid advances in these areas.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are widespread in the world’s poorest regions, where water safety, sanitation and access to health care are less than optimal. NTDs affect over 1 billion people and are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins. These diseases are “neglected” because they are almost absent from the global health agenda, receive little funding and are associated with stigma and social exclusion. This World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day join us to act and invest in eradication of NTDs.

Young people should be at the heart of decisions that impact their lives and health. WHO has therefore established the WHO Youth Council, a newly set up mechanism for meaningful engagement to provide direct advice to the Director-General. Its members consist of international youth organizations that will meet for the first time in Geneva on 27 January. The meeting will solidify the council’s working plans and structure. The Youth Council is a dynamic network that will amplify the voices and experiences of young people, and leverage their expertise, energy and ideas to promote public health.

WHO’s 75th anniversary year is an opportunity to look back at public health successes that have improved quality of life during the last seven decades. It is also an opportunity to motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today and tomorrow.

WHO reports on children’s chances of survival in 2021 - an estimated 5 million children died before their fifth birthday and another 2.1 million children and youth aged 5–24 years lost their lives.

Alisson Becker, goalkeeper for Brazil and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, urges people around the world to be active and play their part to make health for all the number one goal. Universal health coverage ensures that everyone can access the support they need to be and stay healthy without being driven into financial hardship.  Learn more about what WHO is doing to build a healthy future for all.