World Health Day

In 1948, the World Health Organization held the first of an assembly called The World Health Assembly.

It was decided at this assembly, that April 7th of each year, starting in 1950, would be recognized as World Health Day. The purpose of this was to draw attention to a subject or theme of major global importance for each year.

The Focus for 2025

This year’s World Health Day will shine a light on nurses and midwives, the on-call, restless workforce that revolutionized the healthcare industry as we know it. For years, healthcare professionals everywhere have put in hours of blood, sweat, and tears to provide care for those in need. Without these professionals making sacrifices for their community, we would have people in need everywhere, with nowhere to turn for help. In honor of this year’s World Health Day, let’s reflect on their impact and the challenges they face.

The Impact of Healthcare Professionals

Nurses are often the first and last point of contact for patients. They provide care around the clock, assist in procedures, and offer compassion for patients and families during their most vulnerable moments. One powerful example of nurses’ impact is the role they played in the 2020 pandemic. They played a critical role on the front lines, risking their own health to care for patients in overcrowded hospitals. Many care facilities were tremendously understaffed due to the influx of people needing care, which put more strain on these workers. Their dedication and sacrifice shaped the response of the global crisis.

The Challenges They Face

Despite the critical role that healthcare workers play in our communities; they face many challenges day-to-day. One is the immense mental strain they are put through each day. With long shifts in a high-pressure environment, emotional stress is inevitable. To add insult to injury, the World Health Organization reported a shortage of nearly 6 million nurses needed to meet healthcare demands globally. Not only are their work environments high-stress due to the pressure and large workload, but they’re constantly being exposed to sickness and disease.

Healthcare professionals are the glue that holds our healthcare systems together. Without them, the public’s health would suffer. If you have a loved one or know someone in the healthcare industry, make sure you let them know how appreciated they truly are. Some other ways we can support them include advocating for better working conditions, fair wages, policies that invest in education and training for the industry, and raising awareness about the challenges they face daily.

Together, we can ensure these silent heroes receive the recognition and support that they deserve.

Be Well, Auburn