World Health Day
World Health Day is celebrated annually on the seventh of April beginning from the year 1950. The reason why this very date was selected is that on this day in 1948 the Charter of the World Health Organization (abbreviated as WHO) came into force.
The idea to establish the World Health Day was proposed during the first session of the World Health Assembly in 1948. But unlike now, in 1948 this day was celebrated on the 22nd of July, on the day of ratification of the WHO Charter.
As a rule, the World Health Organization dedicates this day to some specific aspects and organizes different propagandistic events both on this day and a long time after it. In particular, such specific subject is always mentioned in the yearly speeches of the UN Secretary General and the Director General of the WHO. For example, in 2008 the major topic for the World Health Organization is the public health care and protection of health from the adverse effects of the climate change due to extensive pollution of the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect, pollution of water etc. Thus, the major focus of the World Health Day in 2008 is directly connected with environmental protection and the constantly increasing awareness of humans about the negative influence of the human activities worldwide. Thus the priority theme for health activists in 2008 is the protection of health from the threats of the global climate change. Other examples of the major themes for this day are: road safety, mental health, healthy environment for children and many others.