City College Proudly Celebrates World Health Day 2018

It’s that time of year again– World Health Day! Every year, on April 7th, the World Health Organization (WHO) sponsors this amazing global health campaign. This year’s theme is “Universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere”. The focus is on universal health coverage (UHC).  Over half of the people in the world don’t have access to essential health services, and the aim of this campaign is to raise awareness and hopefully create and encourage positive changes in global healthcare provisions.  Let’s dig a little deeper to learn more about World Health Day, the World Health Organization, and why City College is so proud to be a supporter of this worldwide health initiative!

“WHO” or What is the World Health Organization (WHO)?

When world leaders came together in 1945 to form the United Nations, one of the ideas that was brought to the table was the establishment of a global health organization.  Nearly three years later, on April 7th, 1948, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) constitution was signed by 61 countries. This is why we celebrate World Health Day on this date.  

The World Health Organization’s mission is “to build a better, healthier future for people all over the world”.   With a staff of over 7,000, 194 member states, and over 150 country offices, WHO has truly become the Global Guardian of Public Health.  

WHO has 6 leadership priorities that they strive to make progress on.  

  1. Promote and help advance universal health coverage
  2. Reach health-related goals regarding maternal and pediatric heath, fight malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV, and finish eradicating polio and some other tropical diseases.
  3. Address challenges of non-communicable diseases and other things that negatively impact health, such as using tobacco, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets, and more.
  4. When public health emergencies occur, the World Health Organization will assist governments in need of resources with management of the health threat.  Even when a threat is no longer present, WHO will assist countries with recovery and preparation for future emergencies.
  5. Increase access to affordable, good quality medications and health technologies
  6. Work to improve a number of economic, social, and environmental topics, such as social health protection, climate change, food safety, access to clean water, and so much more.

WHO’s History

Some notable achievements for the World Health Organization include:

  • 1947 – WHO created the first ever global disease tracking system.
  • 1969 – The first International Health Regulations are established, which represent an agreement between WHO Member States to work in unison to manage and prevent public health emergencies that can potentially cross borders.
  • 1974 – The World Health Organization (WHO) founded the Expanded Program on Immunization so that all the world’s children can get life-saving vaccines.
  • 1979 – Following a huge 12 year global vaccination campaign that WHO led, smallpox was finally eradicated
  • The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is formed.  During this period, over 350,000 people per year were became paralyzed due to polio
  • 1999 – Major organizations, government reps, and other leaders of the vaccine industry who played a role in global immunization, including WHO, form the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations.  The partnership was formed to try to find solutions to the challenges that prevent millions of children from getting vaccinated.
  • 2003 – WHO launches “3 by 5”, an initiative that aimed to bring treatment to 3 million HIV positive people by 2005.  This paved the way for eventually treating 13 million people infected with the virus with antiretroviral treatments by 2013.
  • 2009 – The H1N1 pandemic occurs and the World Health Organization worked with different centers and pharmaceutical companies to develop flu vaccines in record time
  • 2016 – WHO announced zero cases of the Ebola virus in West Africa.

These are just a few of the many accomplishments! To learn more about the World Health Organization, visit their site at https://www.who.int/en/

World Health Day 2018 – #HealthForAll

World Health Day is a global health awareness day sponsored by the World Health Organization to commemorate the day their constitution came into force.  Every year, on April 7th, WHO celebrates the day by hosting, sponsoring, and promoting local, regional, and international events in accordance with whatever that year’s theme is.  This year’s theme – Universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere – is sure to raise awareness and further help with the World Health Organization’s constant efforts to support countries in the move toward universal health coverage (UHC).

It’s sad to think that so many people have to struggle with choosing between good health and life’s other necessities.  Universal health coverage would allow everyone to have access to quality health care, whenever they are in need, regardless of their financial situation.  

As stated earlier, over half of the people in the world lack obtainable health care.  Nearly 100 million people are living in extreme poverty and have to survive on less than $2.00 per day due to the fact that they have to pay for their health care expenses out of pocket.  Here in the United States, approximately 12.2% of Americans don’t have health insurance, and according to a recent report, it is estimated that about 9 million fewer Americans are going to have health insurance next year!

Universal health coverage isn’t just about individual health care and treatment.  UHC is also about providing services for whole populations through health campaigns.  UHC ensures that there is a progressive expansion of health services and financial protection as more and more remedies and solutions are found to battle the challenges faced by those who struggle to access them.  That’s why this year’s World Health Day theme is “Health for All”.

You can celebrate and support World Health Day 2018 by simply joining the discussion and raising awareness on the subject of universal health coverage, or by reaching out to organizations, government agencies and officials, and other individuals to have structured conversations about healthcare related issues.  If you are really interested in taking an extra step in battling inaccessible healthcare, you may even consider a career in a health-related industry!

“No one should have to choose between death and financial hardship.  No one should have to choose between buying medicine and buying food.”

– World Health Organization Director- General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

City College Supports Healthcare!

Successfully reaching this year’s World Health Day goal, “Health for All”, wouldn’t be possible without all the hard-working health care providers/professionals and allied health professionals that work day-in and day-out to ensure that patients receive the best care, treatment, and quality health services!  City College is dedicated to contributing to the growth of the healthcare industry by providing quality training to future healthcare professionals. We are pleased to offer various health-focused degree programs to individuals looking to start their careers in the healthcare field.

Did you know that over 70% of the students at City College are currently enrolled in healthcare programs? City College takes pride in providing top notch education to future healthcare and allied health professionals.  City College’s degree programs in healthcare include:

Not only does City College have a great selection of programs, but we are also conveniently located at 5 different locations throughout South Florida and Central Florida.  We have locations in Altamonte Springs (Orlando), Gainesville, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami. City College offers flexible day and evening classes on-ground, as well as online degree program options that may allow more flexibility for the adult students.  

In City College’s well-equipped classrooms and labs, students find the same type of equipment being used in professional medical environments today.  Students receive hands-on training based on our up-to date curriculum. City College students enjoy small class sizes, instructors who are experienced healthcare industry professionals, and job placement assistance for students and alumni.  These things are key ingredients in the recipe for future student successes as they begin a career working as a nurse or allied health professional upon graduating from any of City College’s practical, career focused degree programs!

A Health Career Sounds Great! What Next?

If you are feeling the spirit of World Health Day, and realize the need for everyone, everywhere to have access to proper health care services and quality health care and allied health professionals, and if you have a knack for helping people, then a healthcare program at City College may be for you!  Our team of welcoming Admissions Representatives, knowledgeable and experienced Faculty, and dedicated Career Services professionals are here to help you from start to finish on your journey to your new career in healthcare!  Contact City College  today to speak to someone about enrolling in one of our programs.

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