Across the globe, millions of people’s right to health is under threat from various factors such as diseases, natural disasters, conflicts and environmental issues. These challenges are causing deaths, disabilities and psychological distress among populations. Burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change and air pollution which claims a life every 5 seconds.
While at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitutions, many are not implementing laws to ensure that their citizens have access to essential health services. As a result, more than half of the world’s population – approximately 4.5 billion people – were not fully covered by essential health services in 2021.
To tackle these challenges head-on, the theme for World Health Day 2024 is ‘My health, my right’. This theme aims to promote the right of every individual to have access to quality healthcare services, education and information, clean air and water, decent housing conditions, safe working environments and freedom from discrimination.
The Programme for Gender Equality, Human Rights and Health Equity focuses on addressing human rights issues related to health. Meanwhile, the 2023 Human Rights Day poster emphasizes the importance of health as a fundamental human right. It is crucial that we advocate for the right to health for all individuals and work towards ensuring that everyone has access to the necessary resources and services to lead healthy lives.
In conclusion, threats to global health rights are increasing rapidly due to various factors such as diseases, natural disasters, conflicts and environmental issues. However, with concerted efforts by governments, organizations and individuals worldwide towards promoting and protecting these rights through implementation of laws and policies that prioritize essential healthcare services for all individuals can help mitigate these challenges.
