What are the functions of the World Health Organization?

The World Health Organization is the authority responsible for the health system of the United Nations. The World Health Organization have a number of main points which make up their overall agenda, these are:

• Promoting development

This includes improving standards and making health care equally accessible to all regardless of factors such as socioeconomic, race, religion, gender etc. The World Health Organization has helped health care develop massively over recent decades.

• Promoting health security

Health security is a very important issue and threatens everyone in the world at some point. Epidemic risk diseases need to be carefully observed and if warnings need to be put in place if such diseases begin to spread. Recent examples include swine flu and bird flu.

• Improving health systems

This area of the World Health Organizations agenda is concerned with areas of poverty and increasing the availability and quality of such health systems.

• Carrying out research and sharing information

Research is one of the most important factors in the development of health care. Without research it would be difficult to find new cures and technological advances that should help us improve the future health service.

• Improving partnerships

It is important that the World Health Organization work closely with a number of different people and organizations. This can include local and national governments, charities, donor organizations, hospitals and GPs.

The World Health Organization was set up in 1948 to ensure strong health links globally. The World Health Organization has grown in size and strength since its introduction and has played a part in a huge number of developments in the health industry.