Community Medicine
International Health
Community medicine international health for MBBS: the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Global Fund, GAVI, World Bank and International Health Regulations, mapped to NMC codes CM18.1 and CM18.2.
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International Health
Community medicine international health for MBBS: the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Global Fund, GAVI, World Bank and International Health Regulations, mapped to NMC codes CM18.1 and CM18.2.
This chapter covers international health and the agencies that shape global health cooperation, led by the World Health Organization. It reviews the roles of UNICEF, the Global Fund, GAVI and the World Bank, along with the International Health Regulations and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
High-yield: International Health
- International health addresses health problems that cross national boundaries and require global cooperation.
- The World Health Organization is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system.
- The World Health Organization was established in 1948 and its headquarters are in Geneva, with India in the South-East Asia region.
- UNICEF focuses on the health, nutrition and welfare of children and mothers worldwide.
- The Sustainable Development Goals include Goal three, which targets good health and wellbeing for all ages.
- The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, meeting annually.
- The Global Fund supports the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
- GAVI, the vaccine alliance, improves access to immunisation in low-income countries.
- The International Health Regulations provide a legal framework for responding to public health emergencies of international concern.
- Bilateral and multilateral agencies provide technical and financial support to national health programmes.
- The Food and Agriculture Organization works on nutrition and food security.
- The World Bank is a major source of funding for health and development projects.
- International cooperation was central to the global eradication of smallpox.
- Voluntary and non-governmental organisations complement official agencies in global health work.
Key international health agencies
- **World Health Organization:** Established 1948, headquarters in Geneva. Directing authority for international health; India is in the South-East Asia region.
- **UNICEF:** Focuses on child and maternal health, nutrition, immunisation and welfare worldwide.
- **Global Fund and GAVI:** Global Fund fights AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; GAVI expands immunisation access in poorer nations.
- **World Bank:** Major funder of health and development projects in low and middle-income countries.
NMC competencies in this chapter
- **CM18.1:** Concept of international health
- **CM18.2:** Roles of various international health agencies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of the World Health Organization?
The World Health Organization is the directing and coordinating authority for international health within the United Nations, setting norms and standards, providing technical support to countries and coordinating responses to global health threats.
What does UNICEF focus on?
UNICEF concentrates on the survival, health, nutrition, education and protection of children and mothers, supporting immunisation, child nutrition programmes and maternal and newborn health in developing countries.
What are the International Health Regulations?
They are a binding legal framework agreed among countries through the World Health Organization to detect, report and respond to public health emergencies of international concern while minimising interference with trade and travel.
How did international cooperation help eradicate smallpox?
A coordinated global campaign led by the World Health Organization used surveillance and ring vaccination across all affected countries, culminating in the certified eradication of smallpox, the first disease ever eliminated worldwide.
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