Outcome

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe and evaluate programs implemented by international and Australian government and non-government organisations in promoting health, human development and sustainability.

Key Knowledge

• The core functions of the WHO in providing global health and sustainable human development.

Key Skills

• Describe the role of the WHO* in global health and sustainable human development.

* - international and Australian government and non-government agencies and organisations

What is it?• Established in 1948• The World Health Organization (WHO)

is the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations’ system.

• Produce health guidelines and standards,

• Help countries to address public health issues.

• Aim is to tackle global health problems and improve people’s well-being.

• Through WHO – governments can work in collaboration on issues of global health.

• 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

• Six regional committees focus on health matters of a regional nature.

WHO Aim

“The attainment by all people of the

highest possible level of health”

4 Main Priorities• Enhancing Global Health Security – disease outbreaks

can cause a crises for a a country, region or entire world.• Preventing Chronic Disease – more than half of all word

deaths are caused by chronic diseases (eg CVD, Cancer, Diabetes).

• Achieving the Health Related MDGs• Working Toward Healthcare for Everyone - - many

countries, hospitals and clinics are inadequate, medicines and equipment are in short supply and the is a shortage of health workers.

Core Functions

1. providing leadership on matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed;

Core Functions

2. Shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge;

Core Functions

3. Setting norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation;

Core Functions

4. Articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options.

Core Functions

5. Providing technical support, catalysing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity.

Core Functions

6. Monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends.