In an era of increasing global interconnectedness and pressing health concerns, organizations that promote equitable opportunity, public health, and quality of life are essential. One such well-known organization is the World Health Organization (WHO). This essay looks at the various responsibilities that the World Health Organization (WHO) plays in advancing public health, safety, and equality of opportunity as well as enhancing community quality worldwide. It researches the objectives and aims of the organization, assesses the impact it will have on global safety and health demands, assesses the extent to which it can promote equal opportunity, and takes into account the ways in which funding, rules, and regulations will influence its offerings.
Mission and Vision
The primary objectives of the World Health Organization (WHO), which was established in 1948, are “to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable.” The World Health Organization states that their goal is ambitious (WHO, 2022 para 2). “a world in which all people enjoy the highest possible level of health, without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic, or social condition.” (WHO, para. 2, 2022). These guiding principles provide direction for the organization’s efforts and activities, supporting its commitment to improving health outcomes, ensuring security, and reducing health disparities worldwide.
Contribution to Public Health and Safety Improvements
The World Health Organization (WHO) has significantly improved public health and safety by spearheading global public health programs. One of its main initiatives, according to Dattani et al. (2022), is the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which aims to eradicate polio globally. Through immunization campaigns, surveillance systems, and community involvement, the GPEI has drastically reduced the number of polio cases, advancing the disease toward its ultimate goal of eradication.
Additionally, the WHO is essential in responding to problems involving global health. The organization supplied crucial information, resources, and guidance to help countries respond to the virus in a coordinated manner during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Eccleston-Turner & Upton (2021), the development of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator demonstrates the organization’s commitment to ensuring that every country has equal access to diagnostics, treatments, and immunizations.
In addition to controlling infectious diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) views non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular ailments as major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Encouraging healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco management promotes NCD prevention strategies and enhances public health and safety.
Promotion of Equal Opportunity and Quality of Life
The World Health Organization’s dedication to improving living standards and fostering equality of opportunity has a fundamental impact on the organization’s mission and vision. One of the organization’s tenets is health justice, which recognizes health as a fundamental human right. The WHO promotes measures to lessen health disparities between countries and populations in order to address the socioeconomic determinants of health, such as poverty, education, and access to healthcare.
One of the WHO’s initiatives to advance health fairness is the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program. According to Paul et al. (2019), UHC aims to ensure that everyone and every community has access to high-quality healthcare without having to worry about their finances. Through the promotion of universal health coverage (UHC) and assistance to countries in implementing it, the World Health Organization (WHO) raises living standards by removing financial barriers to healthcare.
Furthermore, the organization recognizes the importance of mental health, an often-ignored aspect of public health. Through raising awareness, reducing stigma, and expanding access to mental health treatments, the WHO’s Mental Health Action Plan seeks to ensure that individuals with mental health conditions have equal opportunities to lead fulfilling lives.
The World Health Organization also recognizes the value of gender equality in advancing health and well-being. Gender disparities in health outcomes and access to healthcare services continue to be a global issue. To address this, the WHO has developed gender-responsive initiatives that uphold women’s and girls’ rights to health and well-being. This means protecting women from violence, improving the health of moms and their offspring, and ensuring that services related to sexual and reproductive health are available.
Furthermore, the group actively works to protect the rights of marginalized and vulnerable populations, including refugees, migrants, and indigenous people. The WHO works with countries to develop policies and activities to ensure that these people have fair access to healthcare services and are participating in the quest for improved health and quality of life.
Impact of Funding Sources, Policy, and Legislation
Funding sources, legislative actions, and policy choices all have a significant impact on the WHO’s capacity to carry out its mission. Contributions from member states, partner organizations, and private citizens help to fund some of the organization’s initiatives. The World Health Organization requires sufficient financing to finance research, medical emergency response, and health system development.
The organization’s work is impacted by decisions made on national and international policy. Intellectual property rights policies in the field of global health may affect the price and availability of essential drugs and vaccines. The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes health policies that further its goals of expanding healthcare access and fostering health fairness, according to Flaubert et al. (2021).
Furthermore, the WHO’s efforts to promote public health and safety can be aided or hindered by public health legislation, such as those pertaining to tobacco restrictions or the promotion of unhealthy foods. Collaborating with member countries, the group develops evidence-based policies and advocates for their implementation.
Impact on Local Communities
Even though the WHO’s operations are primarily worldwide, they have a considerable impact on local areas. There are several ways that nurses, in particular, might interact with the organization (Mohammed et al., 2021). By working in their local healthcare systems, implementing WHO guidelines, and participating in studies that advance the organization’s objectives, they can support WHO efforts.
The WHO’s technical help and suggestions to its member states often lead to improved local healthcare delivery. Ultimately, local healthcare practices that take into account the organization’s guidelines for infection prevention and control, disease surveillance, and immunization programs benefit the communities.
When a disease epidemic or natural disaster strikes, the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborates with local healthcare practitioners, including nurses, to plan the necessary response measures. Local healthcare systems can better manage crises and safeguard the public’s health and safety when they collaborate.
Challenges and Future Directions
Although it currently faces numerous challenges, the WHO has achieved great strides in advancing public health, quality of life, and equality of opportunity. According to Whitman et al. (2022), securing long-term finance is a major challenge. The organization’s primary funding source is the voluntary contributions of its member states, which can be erratic and insufficient to meet the growing demands for global health. Member states need to put more effort into handling this situation and coming up with innovative financial fixes.
In addition, the WHO operates in a complex global political landscape. Disagreements among members and geopolitical issues occasionally make it more challenging for the organization to advance particular policies or respond promptly in the case of a medical emergency. For the company to succeed, maintaining objectivity in the face of these challenges is essential.
The WHO will need to continuously adapt to emerging health hazards like antibiotic resistance, infectious diseases, and climate change. In order to properly employ resources and knowledge to address global health challenges, it must also strengthen its relationships with other international organizations, civil society, and the business sector.
To sum up, The World Health Organization’s goal, vision, and operations demonstrate its unwavering commitment to improving public health and safety, promoting fairness in access to opportunities, and elevating living standards in communities worldwide. Its leadership in global health is crucial, especially in times of crisis. By aligning its programs with the ideas of health equity and universal access to healthcare, the World Health Organization (WHO) significantly contributes to a safer, healthier, and more equitable society. As vital members of the medical community, nurses are indispensable to supporting and executing the global and local activities of the World Health Organization. The organization continues to address evolving health challenges and has a valuable impact on individuals and communities, making it a beacon of hope and progress in global health. If the WHO receives consistent collaboration and support, it can encourage positive change for future generations.
References
Dattani, S., Spooner, F., Ochmann, S., & Roser, M. (2022). Polio. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/polio
ECCLESTON‐TURNER, M., & UPTON, H. (2021). International Collaboration to Ensure Equitable Access to Vaccines for COVID‐19: The ACT‐Accelerator and the COVAX Facility. The Milbank Quarterly, 99(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0009.12503
Flaubert, J. L., Le Menestrel, S., Williams, D. R., Wakefield, M. K., & National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). The role of nurses in improving health care access and quality. In The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573898/
Mohammed, A., Tomori, O., & Nkengasong, J. N. (2021). Lessons from the elimination of poliomyelitis in Africa. Nature Reviews Immunology, 21(12), 823–828. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-021-00640-w
Paul, E., Deville, C., Bodson, O., Sambiéni, N. K. E., Thiam, I., Bourgeois, M., … & Fecher, F. (2019). How is equity approached in universal health coverage? An analysis of global and country policy documents in Benin and Senegal. International Journal for Equity in Health, 18, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-019-1089-9
Whitman, A., De Lew, N., Chappel, A., Aysola, V., Zuckerman, R., & Sommers, B. D. (2022). Addressing social determinants of health: Examples of successful evidence-based strategies and current federal efforts. Off Heal Policy, pp. 1–30. https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/e2b650cd64cf84aae8ff0fae7474af82/SDOH-Evidence-Review.pdf
World Health Organization. (2022). A healthy return: investment case for a sustainably financed WHO. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/354372/9789240050006-eng.pdf
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