World Health Day (WHD) is an annual event celebrated on 7 April to raise awareness about global health issues and promote healthy living. It marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 and each year focuses on a specific public health concern. This year's theme is the journey to achieving Health For All, and it coincides with the WHO's 75th anniversary, celebrated under the theme of 75 years of improving public health.
The anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in global health over the past seven decades and to renew our commitment to achieving the WHO's vision of a world where everyone enjoys the highest possible level of health and well-being. While there have been significant advances, challenges remain, including the possible emergence of new global pandemics such as COVID-19, the rise of non-communicable diseases, and the continued lack of access to healthcare in many parts of the world.
The continued lack of access to healthcare can lead to untreated illnesses and worsening health conditions. Many needy communities don't have access to healthcare due to financial constraints. In addition many face challenges in maintaining adequate levels of hygiene due to limited access to clean water, soap, and other basic hygiene supplies, as well as poor sanitation facilities and overcrowded living conditions. All of these can contribute to the spread of diseases and infections, which can further exacerbate health issues.
Diversey's Soap For Hope initiative aligns with this year's WHD theme, "Health For All," as it promotes health equity by providing access to soap and employment opportunities to needy communities. The program collects used soap from hotels, recycles it, and distributes it to communities in need, providing over 22.8 million bars of soap to people in need while also diverting 3200 tonnes of used soaps from landfills globally. The initiative not only improves hygiene and prevents the spread of diseases but also provides employment and income opportunities for women and youth who are trained to collect, recycle, and distribute the soap, promoting sustainability and empowering excluded groups.
Diversey's Soap For Hope programme is an example of a community-based initiative that addresses social determinants of health by providing basic hygiene and sanitation resources to communities in need. Today is a great opportunity to celebrate the advances that we have made in health but we also have to recognize the long road there is ahead. Let's continue building a better and healthier world.
For more information about The World Health Day, visit:
For more information about Soap For Hope, visit:
https://diversey.com/en/sustainability/soap-for-hope
