World Health Day is on April 7:

The first health is wealth

We know how important it is to be healthy but as there are so many diseases in the world today it is difficult to do so. Many people around the world are seriously ill, especially from HIV Aids, cancer and other incurable diseases .

Today there are various types of diseases spreading around the globe and many of them are caused by unhealthy living conditions and also lack of personal hygiene. Keeping one's environment and also oneself clean is very important to stay healthy. When the environment is unclean diseases such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya spread via mosquitoes. Many contract these deadly diseases and die.

The United Nations has dedicated a special day to focus on health, recognising the significance of educating the people about correct health practices and the urgent measures to be taken when epidemics break out. Every year World Health Day is observed on April 7. This year's theme will focus on urbanisation and health. Under the campaign "1000 cities - 1000 lives", events will be organised worldwide during the week April 7 - 11 calling on cities to open streets for health activities. Stories of urban health champions will be gathered to illustrate what people are doing to improve health in their cities.

The global goals of the

campaign are:

* 1000 cities: to open public spaces to health, whether it be activities in parks, town hall meetings, clean-up campaigns, or closing off portions of streets to motorized vehicles.

* 1000 lives: to collect 1000 stories of urban health champions who have taken action and had a significant impact on health in their cities.

World Health Day is celebrated under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO).In 1948, the World Health Organization held the First World Health Assembly.

.The Assembly decided to celebrate April 7 of each year, with effect from 1950, as the World Health Day.

This day is celebrated to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization . Activities related to that particular theme and the resources provided continue beyond April 7.

What the WHO is...

The World Health Organiztion WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system.

It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

In the 21st century, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care and collective defence against transnational threats.