My Health, My Right

World Health Day is celebrated every year on the anniversary of the founding day of the World Health Organisation (WHO). This day is important as it allows people to focus on and raise awareness around health issues that affect people all over the globe. Everyone needs to be concerned about the health of themselves and their community.

Around the world, the right to health of millions is increasingly coming under threat. The WHO Council has found that at least 140 countries recognise health as a human right in their constitution. Yet countries are not passing and putting into practice laws to ensure their populations are entitled to access health services. To address these challenges this year's theme is: My health, my right. The idea of this is to support the rights of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.

World Health Day offers the opportunity to motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today and tomorrow. To aim to help people better understand what universal health coverage means and what services and support are available to them.

By promoting the awareness of various health topics, it can show that as well as being active where you can, it’s important that you continue to eat well and generally look after yourselves. Use World Health Day to start a new habit - whether it’s healthy eating or some exercise throughout the day!