Organization code
WHO
Categoria
Organizações
Established
7 April 1948
Headquarters
Geneva, Switzerland
Members
194 Member States
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations system. It sets global health standards, coordinates responses to communicable diseases and public-health emergencies of international concern, and its founding date of 7 April is observed as World Health Day.
To promote the highest possible level of health for all peoples, defining health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.
1948
The WHO Constitution entered into force and the organization was established
1979
Global eradication of smallpox certified
1988
The global poliomyelitis eradication initiative launched
2020
COVID-19 declared a public health emergency of international concern
The WHO flag is the UN blue field with the WHO emblem at the centre: the United Nations insignia surmounted by the Rod of Asclepius, the traditional symbol of medicine and international health organizations.
Adopted
1948 (organization emblem)
Usage note
The WHO name and emblem are protected by WHO policy; use must not imply WHO endorsement.
