A society that focuses on the well-being of themselves and of their surroundings. A planet that has clean water, clean air, and clean food for all. That is how WHO wants us to reimagine our planet and our health this World Health Day. Every year on April 7th, the World Health Organization commemorates its founding. Every year, a subject is highlighted to address public health issues that affect the entire world. The theme for 2022 is “Our Planet, Our Health.”
What does this year’s World Health Day convey to us?
This year’s theme emphasizes on ensuring cleanliness and disease resistance, as well as creating a liveable society. A greater focus is being placed on health behaviors that encourage disease-free living. According to recent WHO figures, 13 million people die each year because of preventable environmental and lifestyle factors, as well as infectious diseases spread by climatic change.
WHO asks for worldwide attention on critical efforts needed to keep humans and the planet healthy, and to build a movement to create societies centered on well-being, in the face of a pandemic, a polluted planet, and rising diseases including cancer, asthma, and heart diseases.
Climate Change and its Effects on Health
Some facts and figures that will immediately draw your attention to how the damage to our planet and its ecosystem is affecting our health
- 829 000 people die from the diarrheal disease every year caused by polluted water and poor sanitation.
- 3.6 billion people in the world do not have access to clean toilets. Ecosystem and human health are both harmed by untreated human waste.
- As a result of rising temperatures and floods brought on by climate change, an additional 2 billion people will be in danger of contracting dengue fever due to post-flood-related health hazards.
- Lung cancer, heart disease, and strokes kill 13 people every minute which are a result of air pollution-related health complications.
- Tobacco is highly addicting and kills about 8 million individuals each year. It is a significant risk factor for cancer, heart disease, and lung illness. Every year, 600 million trees are chopped to create 6 trillion cigarettes, reducing the amount of clean air we breathe.
- Globally, 2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water. The major cause is sewage disposal, waste, and chemicals that end up in our lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
What steps can you take to support this year’s theme?
As an individual, our efforts need to focus on the greater good. Knowing what is right for the planet and educating our family and friends to focus on maintaining environmental and health stability. WHO has the recommendation to follow their Five Point Plan
- At least once a week, walk or ride your bike to work. Take advantage of public transportation.
- Switch to a renewable energy supplier; don’t heat your rooms over 21.5 degrees Celsius and turn off the lights when you’re not in the room.
- Avoid excessively processed foods and beverages by purchasing fresh supplies from local producers.
- Tobacco is a poisonous substance that kills people and pollutes the environment. Tobacco use should be avoided.
- Use recyclable grocery bags instead of disposable bags.
How QurBook stands to support the World Health Day cause
QurBook is dedicated to the very important aspect of living disease-free which can be achieved by focusing on prevention. The very foundation of how QurBook works is by Saving Lives, Super Proactive. Prevention can only be achieved with proper knowledge about the disease, the risk factors associated with diseases, leading a healthy lifestyle, and focusing on the right diet and nutrition.
We also believe a healthy population has the power to bring in the change that we want our planet to witness.