Overview
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the leading global authority on public health within the United Nations system. It works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. Its activities span from monitoring health risks to coordinating responses to health emergencies and providing technical assistance to member states.
Mission and focus areas
WHO focuses on a wide range of health-related areas, including disease prevention (such as Ebola, Cholera, and COVID-19), maternal and child health, mental health, and emergency preparedness. Key initiatives include the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the Triple Billion targets, which aim to ensure more people benefit from universal health coverage, are protected from health emergencies, and enjoy better health and well-being.
Structure and governance
WHO is governed by its Member States through the World Health Assembly, which is the highest decision-making body. The Executive Board provides advice and facilitates the work of the Assembly. The organization is lead by a Director-General and operates through a headquarters in Geneva, six regional offices, and numerous country offices globally.
Programs and offerings
WHO provides a vast array of resources including health fact sheets, global health estimates via the Global Health Observatory, and technical publications. It also runs the WHO Academy for health learning, manages the Health Inequality Monitor, and coordinates international health regulations and surveillance systems to respond to disease outbreaks.
