Basic Information
The World Health Organization (WHO) was established in 1948 and is the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nation’s system (World Health Organization, 2006). It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, 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 (About WHO).
WHO’s constitution echoes a clear understanding about psychosocial aspects of health. It states that “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (World Health Organization, 2007). It also lays emphasis from the beginning on the “happiness, harmonious relations and security to all people…” (World Health Organization, 2007).
Major Impact on the Field
WHO has a strong relationship with the Ministries of Health of the member...
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References and Readings
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Saxena, S., Yasamy, M.T. (2013). World Health Organization (WHO). In: Gellman, M.D., Turner, J.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_76
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_76
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