April 7: World Health Day

Manuel Van den Broucke, sports, society and politics correspondent, April 7, 2025

Origin and objectives of this day

World Health Day was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, the year it was founded, and was first celebrated on April 7, 1950. Every year, it aims to raise public awareness of major global health issues and encourage governments to invest in prevention policies and improved medical care.

Role of the World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) is responsible for coordinating international responses to health crises, such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014-2016 or the Covid-19 pandemic starting in 2020. WHO also sets international standards to guarantee the quality of medical care, food safety, and universal access to essential medicines. Each year, it funds vaccination campaigns that prevent around 4 to 5 million deaths per year according to its 2023 statistics. In addition, WHO runs prevention campaigns, such as the fight against smoking, which kills around 8 million people a year, and works in more than 150 countries to strengthen health systems.

Tips for staying healthy

A varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein sources helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. The WHO recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week to improve cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness. Restful sleep of 7 to 9 hours per night is also important for strengthening the immune system and improving concentration. It's advisable to limit alcohol, salt and sugar intake to prevent high blood pressure and obesity.

Habits to avoid to protect your health

Tobacco use is one of the main preventable causes of cardiovascular disease and cancer. A sedentary lifestyle, which increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and circulatory disorders, is also a major risk factor. Alcohol abuse can damage the liver, weaken the immune system, and increase cancer risk. Lack of sleep, often overlooked, weakens memory, increases the risk of heart disease, and reduces the ability to concentrate. Finally, poor stress management, especially when accompanied by behaviors such as snacking or excessive stimulant consumption, can quickly deteriorate both mental and physical health.