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The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that directs and coordinates international health work. WHO currently has 191 member states. The 1945 United Nations conference in San Francisco unanimously approved a proposal to create a new international health organization. Several different international health organizations had existed before, but none had a worldwide scope like the United Nations. In 1945, the constitution founding the new World Health Organization was approved, and on April 7, 1948, it was ratified. April 7 is now called World Health Day in honor of WHO's creation. Central to WHO's mission is
its definition of health: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." The WHO constitution states that governments have a responsibility for the health of their people, and the organization works closely with governments, as well as non-governmental organizations, to promote health. WHO's main functions are: - to give worldwide guidance in the field of health.
- to set global standards for health.
- to cooperate with governments in strengthening national health programs.
- to develop and transfer appropriate health technology, information, and standards.
In the 1970s, WHO was instrumental in the global eradication of smallpox,
and it is currently working to eliminate polio and leprosy, among other diseases. WHO is involved in a host of healthcare activities, from promoting safe laboratory standards to researching tropical diseases to encouraging healthy sexual practices and tobacco-free societies.
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