World Health Organization (WHO) Goals and Objectives

Overview

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that is concerned with international public health. It was established on April 7, 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO plays a crucial role in global health governance, providing leadership, setting norms and standards, providing technical support, and monitoring health trends.

KEY TAKEAWAY: The WHO is the leading international health authority within the UN system.

Goals of the WHO

The overarching goal of the WHO is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. This broad goal is underpinned by more specific objectives.

The WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work 2019–2023 outlines a strategic direction focusing on impact in countries. It is structured around three interconnected strategic priorities:

1. Universal Health Coverage (UHC):

   • One billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage.
   • Ensure that all people have access to needed health services (prevention, promotion, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliation) of sufficient quality to be effective without risking financial hardship.
   • Focus on strengthening health systems and addressing social determinants of health.

2. Health Emergencies:

   • One billion more people better protected from health emergencies.
   • Preventing and responding to acute health risks and emergencies.
   • Building countries’ capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks and other health emergencies.
   • Focus on preparedness, risk reduction, rapid response, and recovery.

3. Healthier Populations:

   • One billion more people enjoying better health and well-being.
   • Addressing the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health.
   • Focus on improving nutrition, promoting healthy behaviors, addressing environmental risks, and tackling inequalities.

REMEMBER: UHC, Health Emergencies, and Healthier Populations are the three strategic priorities.

Objectives of the WHO

To achieve its goals, the WHO pursues a range of objectives, including:

• Providing leadership on global health matters:

  • Setting norms and standards.
  • Shaping the health research agenda.
  • Providing evidence-based policy options.

• Shaping the health research agenda:

  • Generating, compiling, and disseminating valuable knowledge.
  • Stimulating the development and testing of new technologies, tools, and approaches.

• Setting norms and standards:

  • Developing and promoting international health regulations (IHR).
  • Establishing guidelines and recommendations on a wide range of health issues.

• Articulating evidence-based policy options:

  • Providing technical support to countries in developing and implementing health policies.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of health interventions.

• Providing technical support to countries:

  • Supporting countries in strengthening their health systems.
  • Providing training and capacity building for health workers.
  • Assisting countries in responding to health emergencies.

• Monitoring and assessing health trends:

  • Collecting and analyzing data on health indicators.
  • Tracking progress towards health goals.
  • Identifying emerging health threats.

• Partnerships:

  • Working with governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to achieve its goals.
  • Fostering collaboration and coordination among different actors in the health sector.

• Advocacy:

  • Raising awareness of health issues.
  • Promoting healthy behaviors.
  • Advocating for policies that improve health.

EXAM TIP: Be prepared to discuss how specific WHO actions align with its goals and objectives.

WHO Priorities

The WHO’s work is guided by a set of priorities that reflect the most pressing global health challenges. These priorities include:

• Communicable Diseases: Preventing and controlling infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases.
• Noncommunicable Diseases: Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases.
• Health Systems: Strengthening health systems to ensure that everyone has access to quality health services.
• Promoting Health through the life-course: Improving the health and well-being of people at all stages of life, from infancy to old age.
• Preparedness, Surveillance and Response: Helping countries to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies.
• Corporate Services: Ensuring that the WHO has the resources and capacity to carry out its mission.

VCAA FOCUS: Know how the WHO’s priorities relate to the SDGs, particularly SDG 3.

How the WHO Achieves its Objectives

The WHO uses a variety of strategies to achieve its objectives, including:

• Developing global health strategies and action plans: These provide a framework for action at the global, regional, and national levels.
• Providing technical assistance to countries: This includes training, capacity building, and policy advice.
• Setting norms and standards: This helps to ensure the quality and safety of health services and products.
• Monitoring and evaluating health trends: This helps to track progress and identify emerging health threats.
• Advocating for health: This helps to raise awareness of health issues and promote healthy behaviors.
• Convening global health summits and conferences: These bring together experts and policymakers to discuss health issues and develop solutions.

COMMON MISTAKE: Don’t confuse the WHO’s goals with the SDGs. They are related but distinct.

Examples of WHO’s Work

• Eradication of Smallpox: The WHO led the global effort to eradicate smallpox, which was declared eradicated in 1980.
• Polio Eradication: The WHO is a leading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which has made significant progress in reducing the incidence of polio worldwide.
• COVID-19 Pandemic Response: The WHO played a crucial role in coordinating the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing guidance, technical support, and supplies to countries around the world.

STUDY HINT: Use case studies of WHO initiatives to illustrate your understanding of its goals and objectives.

Conclusion

The WHO plays a vital role in promoting health globally. Its goals and objectives are aligned with the SDGs, particularly SDG 3, and it works with a wide range of partners to achieve its mission. Understanding the WHO’s goals, objectives, and priorities is essential for understanding global health governance and the challenges of promoting health and well-being for all.

APPLICATION: Consider how individuals can support the WHO’s work through advocacy, donations, or volunteering.