The health rights of millions of people are increasingly threatened worldwide. Diseases and disasters loom menacingly as leading causes of death and disability. Conflicts ruin lives and leave a trail of death, pain, hunger, and psychological distress.

The burning of fossil fuels fuels the climate crisis while simultaneously robbing us of the right to breathe clean air, and indoor and outdoor air pollution claims a life every five seconds.

According to the WHO Council on the Economic Aspects of Health for All, at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution. However, none of them enact or enforce laws guaranteeing their populations the right to access health services. This explains why at least 4.5 billion people — more than half of the world's population — were not fully covered by essential health services in 2021.

To address challenges of this nature, the theme of World Health Day 2024 is "My Health, My Right."

This year's theme was chosen to uphold the right of all individuals, wherever they may be, to access health services, quality education and information, as well as clean water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and to not be discriminated against.

By: MSc. Dr. Patricia Alonso Galbán
Communication Specialist of CSMC, S.A.

With information from the World Health Organization.