Welcome to the United Nations
Introduction
Since 2000 significant progress has been made in addressing health challenges. Life expectancy has increased globally, child mortality has declined rapidly and major communicable diseases contained and on path towards eradication. However laudable this progress there have been new threats to health and well-being of particularly the poor and vulnerable in society, with increases in non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders (higher life expectancy does not mean healthier life expectancy) , epidemics and pandemics related to natural or man-made emergencies (threats to health security and economic stability) , and the growing impacts of climate change and demographic changes – hundreds of millions migrating or displaced as a result of socio-economic, political or environmental influences.
In most countries gender based differences continue to hamper improvements in health outcomes, while in the developing world hundreds of millions continue to suffer financial hardship in accessing safe and quality health services. The situation is exacerbated by widespread poor health literacy levels, coupled with weak health promotion policies, which result in poor health choices. Resilient heath systems require much improved capacity in public health, both in terms of institutional architecture and more and better trained health professionals. Transformation towards stronger and people centered systems will enable countries to weather crises and ensure that health is both an indicator and outcome of sustainable development.
In the context of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development WHO has developed a mission statement which focuses on the promotion of health, keeping the world safe and serving the vulnerable. WHO’s work is thus structured around strategic priorities aimed to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages. Core priorities are the achievement of universal health coverage (with 1 billion more benefitting from coverage), addressing health emergencies (with 1 billion better protected from emergencies) and promoting healthier populations (with 1 billion enjoying better health and well-being).
