The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in 1948 as a specialised agency of the United Nations. Its objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. It is governed by the World Health Assembly, which meets every year and is attended by delegates from all member states.
Health for All
In 1981 the World Health Assembly adopted the ‘Global Strategy for Health for All by the Year 2000’. Its aims are not the eradication of all disease and disabilities, but to ensure that resources for health are evenly distributed and that essential health care is available to all. This strategy was renewed in May 1998, with the adoption of the World Health Declaration by the 51st World Health Assembly.
Health21
In Europe, initial targets that had been set for the region have been regularly reviewed and updated in the light of changing political and social realities. In September 1998 in response to the World Health Declaration, a new policy document was introduced and approved by all 51 European member states: Health21 – The Health for All Policy Framework for the WHO European Region. It contains 21 targets setting out achievable goals for improving and protecting health across all member states within the next ten years.
Health21 Nurse and Health21 Midwife Campaign
WHO European Region, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) are sponsoring the above campaign which aims to have all European nurses and midwives, both practising and retired, pledge to recommit their skills to the values and targets of Health21 and to wear the Health21 pin as a symbol of their commitment. The pledge reads as follows:
"As a Health21 nurse and/or midwife I recommit my knowledge, skills and humanity to the health of all in society. My mission is to work with society toward better health and to ensure that prevention, care and cure are the right of every human being. United with my colleagues in the nursing and midwifery professions and in collaboration with the public and other health professionals, I will strive to continuously improve my capacity to promote healthy lifestyles, healthy workplaces and healthy communities. Improved health for individuals, families and communities will be the measure of my success. Compassionate and ethical caring will be my constant guide."
