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Working for health
An introduction to the
WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Working for health: an introduction to the World Health Organization.
1. World Health Organization. 2. World health. 3. Communicable disease control. 4. Chronic disease - prevention and control. 5. Health
services accessibility. I. World Health Organization.
ISBN 92 4 156313 5
(NLM classification: WA 530.1)
© World Health Organization 2007 (updated edition)
All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization can be obtained from WHO Press, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue
Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel: +41 22 791 3264; fax: +41 22 791 4857; email: bookorders@who.int). Requests for permission to
reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution – should be addressed to WHO Press, at the
above address (fax: +41 22 791 4806; email: permissions@who.int).
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on
the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning
the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full
agreement.
Photo credits: p.10 and p.18 WHO/Eric Miller, p.14 WHO/Chris de Bode, p.16 (pregnant woman) WHO/Pallava Bagla,
p.19 (mother and baby) IFRC/Marko Kokic.
Printed in Switzerland
Welcome to the World health organization
Some of the work done by WHO is visible and familiar: the
response teams sent to contain outbreaks, the emergency
assistance to people affected by disasters, or the mass
immunization campaigns that protect the world’s children
from killer diseases.
Other work is visible because the diseases being addressed – HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and
malaria – have such a high profile for global health.
The work of WHO is also visible in statistics, as we chart changing trends and sound the
alarm when needed. As one example, we need to be concerned about the sharp rise of
chronic diseases. Long thought to be the companions of affluent societies, diseases such as
heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are now occurring in larger numbers and at an earlier
age throughout the developing world.
Some activities undertaken by WHO are largely invisible, quietly protecting the health of
every person on this planet, every day. By assigning a single international name to drugs,
WHO helps ensure that a prescription filled abroad is what the doctor ordered back home.
Our standards help protect the safety of everyone’s food and the quality of medicines and
vaccines. When pollution in air or water reaches a dangerous level, it is WHO standards that
are used as the measure.
Our greatest concern must always rest with disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. These
groups are often hidden, living in remote rural areas or shantytowns and having little
political voice.
Dr Margaret Chan
Director-General
WHO works to make these people – and their unmet health needs – more visible and
thus worthy of our priority concern. In addressing the needs of these populations, we
work together with governments and a host of agencies, foundations, nongovernmental
organizations, and representatives of the private sector and civil society.
One statistic from these vulnerable groups stands out as especially tragic: more than
500,000 women die each year from complications of pregnancy. To reverse this trend, WHO
and its partners must address complex problems that have their roots in social and economic
conditions and the failure of health services to reach the poor. These same problems account
for many other needless deaths.
All of our efforts – and their prospects for success – are greatly aided by today’s
unprecedented interest in health as a route to development, accompanied by equally
unprecedented energy, initiatives, and funds.
This brochure provides some highlights from our broad range of activities – both high-profile
and behind-the-scenes – that are working to improve world health.
Working for health: an introduction to the World health organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing
and coordinating authority on international health
within the United Nations’ system. WHO experts
produce health guidelines and standards, and help
countries to address public health issues. WHO also
supports and promotes health research. Through
WHO, governments can jointly tackle global health
problems and improve people’s well-being.
193 countries and two associate members are WHO’s
membership. They meet every year at the World Health
Assembly in Geneva to set policy for the Organization, approve
the Organization’s budget, and every five years, to appoint the
Director-General. Their work is supported by the 34-member
Executive Board, which is elected by the Health Assembly.
Six regional committees focus on health matters of a regional
nature.
Who are our partners in health?
WHO and its Member States work with many partners, including
UN agencies, donors, nongovernmental organizations, WHO
collaborating centres and the private sector. Only through new
ways of working and innovative partnerships can we make a
difference and achieve our goals.
More about WHO
www.who.int/about/en/
Working for health: an introduction to the World health organization
What is the World
The World Health Assembly.
WHO’s 193 member countries meet
to decide policy for improving health.
people
COPENHAGEN
EUROPEAN REGION
HQ
Last but not least, WHO is people.
Over 8000 public health experts
including doctors, epidemiologists,
scientists, managers, administrators
and other professionals from all
over the world work for WHO in 147
country offices, six regional offices
and at the headquarters in Geneva,
Switzerland.
WASHINGTON
REGION OF
THE AMERICAS
CAIRO
EASTERN
MEDITERRANEAN
REGION
NEW DEHLI
SOUTH-EAST
ASIA REGION
MANILA
WESTERN PACIFIC
REGION
BRAZZAVILLE
AFRICAN REGION
d health organization?
Working for health: an introduction to the World health organization
HQ
Headquarters
Regional office
Country office

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