What is the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in global health issues?

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Its main objective is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. The WHO plays a crucial role in addressing global health issues by providing leadership on matters critical to health, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries, and monitoring and assessing health trends.

The WHO is involved in a wide range of health issues, including the prevention and control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases, the development of health systems, the provision of immunizations, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. It also plays a critical role in global health emergency preparedness and response, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WHO works in partnership with national governments, civil society organizations, international organizations, and other stakeholders to address global health challenges. It also provides technical assistance and support to countries, particularly those with limited resources and capacity to address health issues. Through its work, the WHO seeks to promote health equity and improve the health of people worldwide.