World Health Day 2024: My health, my right
Since the World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in 1948, people’s right to health has been central to its mission to deliver health for all. The right to health was enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the same year.
To fulfil this right, health services should be available, accessible, acceptable and of good quality.
Yet the right to health is not only about access to health services, health education and health information. People also need access to safe drinking water and food, adequate nutrition and housing, and good working and environmental conditions. The right to health also relies on people living in equal societies, where they don’t face discrimination.
Today, in a world threatened by multiple crises, from diseases and disasters to conflicts and climate change, the mission to realize people’s right to health remains more important than ever.
“My health, my right”, the theme of World Health Day 2024, highlights the urgent need to fulfil the right to health for all.
How is the world doing on the right to health?
More than half of the global population – some 4.5 billion people – lack full access to essential health care. In addition, over 2 billion people experience financial hardship in accessing basic health care.
The poorest, most discriminated against and marginalized people are worst hit by social inequities and barriers in access to health care. This has catastrophic impacts on their health and well-being.
World Health Day 2024 campaign objectives
Invest
in health like your bottom line depends on it: US$ 200 billion–328 billion a year to scale up primary health care in low- and middle-income countries (i.e., 3.3% of national gross domestic product).
Deliver
on the right to health: make health services available, accessible, acceptable and of good quality for everyone, everywhere.
Advocate
for urgent action to mobilize the necessary political commitments and financial investments to attain the universal health coverage target of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Call to action
At least 140 countries globally – including 20 countries of the Region – recognize health as a human right in their constitution. Yet countries are not passing and putting into practice laws to ensure their populations are entitled to access health services.
The World Health Day 2024 campaign urges governments to enact policies that guarantee equitable access to essential health services, without financial hardship. It also reminds the public to understand their right to health and hold governments accountable.
Let’s remind leaders that it’s time to:
invest in health
expand primary health care
work across sectors and communities to deliver on health
involve the public in health decision-making
safeguard the right to health in war and conflict.
We must also encourage the public to:
know about the right to health
have a say in health decision-making.
Campaign materials
Regional Director's message
Health is a human right, not a privilege. But all too often, that right is compromised. That’s why WHO has chosen “My health, my right” as the theme for World Health Day 2024.
It is a critical issue in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Our Region is home to 38% of all people in need of humanitarian aid globally.
Conflict and natural disasters are stopping people from getting the quality health care they need.
