Second Announcement - World Health Day 2003

Shape the Future of Life: Healthy Environments for Children

World Health Day, 7 April 2003 is dedicated to the health of children and their environments. On April 7th we will focus on the dangers children face in the places where they live, learn and play. We want to raise awareness about the health risks in these environments. Our objective is to mobilize worldwide action to create healthier environments for children. On April 7th we will help shape the future of life.

The need: Every year, over 5 million children die from illnesses that are a result of their environments. The main killers are diarrhoea, and respiratory conditions, malaria and other illnesses carried by insects. Many child deaths result from unintentional injuries. There are many ways to prevent these deaths. But – despite this knowledge – these millions of children are still dying. We know what needs to be done: enable those responsible for the health and well-being of children, as well as children themselves, to put this knowledge into practice, and create healthier environments. This calls for local action, backed by a world-wide campaign.

The campaign: This year’s World Health Day marks the start of a campaign by the Healthy Environments for Children Alliance to promote healthier environments for children everywhere. Healthy homes, healthy schools and healthy communities will help shape the future of children’s lives. We can all contribute to this goal, working together to identify the environmental risks children face, and tackling them – starting with the most dangerous. We can make a difference to the lives of millions of children.

The day of action: The campaign will start with thousands of different events all around our globe on April 7th. There will be learned symposia and political debates about children’s health and their environments. There will be commitments and declarations from political leaders. Journalists will write about environmental and health issues. Most importantly, children will describe how they see their environments – to their parents and teachers, to community leaders and to decision makers. They will identify health risks, plan clean-up campaigns, and – where possible – take action themselves. And they are encouraged to show others what they have done - through photography and video, drawing and painting, drama and song, or other media if they wish.

What can you do? You could do something on World Health Day – with neighbours, within your community, in school, or as a club activity. You can link up with others, making your World Health Day part of a bigger movement that involves many more. You could involve your local radio, TV or newspaper – so that many more can find out about what you are doing. Where possible, ensure that children and young people are involved on April 7th, using their imagination, and expressing their views as they wish. Please let us know what you are planning by registering the information through the event section on http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2003/activities/register/en.

For more information please visit http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2003/infomaterials/en.

Why not start with the World Health Day Theme and Slogan: Healthy Environments for Children: Shape the Future of Life. You could translate it into your language. You could add to it, making it relevant to your setting. The slogan is available in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Russian and Chinese, Catalan, Dutch, German, Hindi and Turkish. We can put your translation on the WHD website. Details available on http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2003/infomaterials/slogan/en.

Join us to help shape the future of life. Join us to make a difference. Join us – wherever you are – on World Health Day. We look forward to hearing about it!