April 7th is World Health Day, and this event has been raising awareness on a variety of important health issues for 70 years.
World Health Day Themes
Conceived by the World Health Organization at the First Health Assembly in 1948, World Health Day officially became internationally recognized two years later in 1950. Every year, the World Health Organization chooses a relevant theme for World Health Day to focus on.
Some Past Themes of World Health Day
- 2001: Mental health – stop exclusion, dare to care
- 2002: Move for health
- 2003: Shape the future of life
- 2004: Road safety
- 2005: Make every mother and child count
- 2006: Working together for health
- 2007: Invest in health, build a safer future
- 2008: Protecting health from climate change
- 2009: Save lives. Make hospitals safe in emergencies
- 2010: 1000 cities, 1000 lives
- 2011: Antibiotic resistance: No action today, no cure tomorrow
- 2012: Active ageing: Good health adds life to years
- 2013: Control your blood pressure
- 2014: Vector-borne diseases
- 2015: Food safety
- 2016: Beat diabetes
- 2017: Depression
- 2018 & 2019: Universal health coverage
World Health Day 2020 – Support Nurses and Midwives
The World Health Assembly has deemed 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. Keeping with that theme, the goal of this year’s World Health Day is to spread international awareness on the important roles played by both nurses and midwives.
Global Facts and Statistics on Nurses and Midwives
Did you know that almost 50% of the global health workforce is made up of nurses and midwives? And in many communities throughout the world, nurses and midwives are commonly the first and potentially the only point of contact for healthcare. In order to achieve universal health coverage, the world needs 9 million more trained nurses and midwives by 2030.
Become a Part of the Movement
You don’t need to be a nurse or midwife to support this positive movement. These are just a couple of relatively small things you can do that will make a big difference.
Thank a nurse and midwife
Just imagine how powerful it would be if all the health workers in your area were thanked with a flower, card or a tweet. Share your photos on social media using the hashtag #SupportNursesAndMidwives. Make sure to personalize your messages.
A day in the life of a nurse / midwife
Want to know what it’s like to be a nurse or a midwife? See if you can spend time alongside a nurse or midwife in your community. Learn more about them, their life saving work and become an advocate for them. Nurses and midwives are vital to our future, we need millions more.
Volunteering at San Simeon
At San Simeon by the Sound, our Volunteering Program provides you with the opportunity to work alongside the caring members of our nursing staff and assist our residents. This can be an incredible experience whether you’re looking to pursue a career in nursing or if you’re simply looking for a way to give back to your local community.
