World Health Day

World Health Day


What is World Health Day?

7th April 2014 World Health Day (WHD) is celebrated each year on the 7th April to commemorate the establishment of the World Health Organisation in 1948. The theme for 2014 is vector-borne diseases. Every year a different theme is chosen to be the focus for the day. Each theme will cover a different topic of public health. This day commemorates a particular theme each year, to help raise awareness and helps to prepare people with all the necessary knowledge needed to protect themselves against such diseases. It will identify an area of concern for the World Health Organisation.

What are Vector-Borne Diseases?

Vector-borne diseases transmit parasites and pathogens from one person or animal who is infected to another. They can be transmitted through the bite of an infected arthropod species, for example mosquitoes, sandflies and ticks. This illness can often be found in tropical locations. More so in areas where safe drinking water and sanitation is hard to access.
Such vectors are sensitive to the weather, which will have an influence on the reproduction and survival and activity of vectors such as biting rates.

According to the World Health Organisation, there were 660,000 deaths in 2010 caused by malaria. This is known for being the most deadly vector-borne disease. Contributing factors can include poor waste disposal, water storage, and deforestation. The majority of sufferers were African children aged 5 years or below. Dengue fever is another illness, which is the fastest growing disease in the world. Vector-borne diseases are caused by a number of infectious agents for example bacteria, viruses, protozoa etc. They can be difficult to control.

Aims and Objectives

The WHD campaign strives to raise awareness of the vector-borne diseases. It aims to equip communities with information including the key points surrounding this health issue.
It also encourages families to take the necessary steps to protect themselves. As these diseases are becoming more widespread, it is crucial that action is taken to prevent such diseases thriving. This day aims to highlight some of the well-known vectors including mosquitoes, ticks and other bugs.

The aim is to provide travellers with all the necessary knowledge, and understanding needed when it comes to protecting yourself in countries which hold the threat of contracting the disease. It is essential that countries which pose a health threat, are able to work with the relevant authorities to develop and improve the measures and procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection. Awareness is essential when it comes to preventing the risk of contracting vector-borne diseases. It is vital that the affected countries take the time to prevent and protect communities against these deadly diseases.

It is vital that individuals maintain a nutritious and healthy diet. Regardless of whether or not people have an understanding of vector diseases and the effects illness can have on an individual. It is crucial that people take the time to maintain a good level of health. Issues such as lifestyle, food habits and pollution will all have a detrimental effect on an individuals’ health.

If you would like to learn more about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle through healthy eating and nutrition, there are many distance learning programmes available.

Nick Cooper
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