World Health Day 2020

World Health Day 2020: Nurses and midwives - Leading the way to Universal Health

World Health Day ‒ 7 April 2020

INVEST - VALUE - RESPECT - TRUST

The Region of the Americas has some 9 million practitioners in the nursing profession, 4.5 million of whom are university-trained nurses, 87% of them women. Nurses and midwives account for more than 50% of the health workforce and are essential to the delivery of health services at the first level of care. The greatest challenges are adopting effective national and regional policies that include adequate investment to tackle the shortage of human resources, expand the role of nurses, and regulate and improve their working conditions.

Heroes on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response

Around the world, nurses and other healthcare professionals are on the frontlines of the global fight to slow the spread of COVID-19. Risking their own lives to save others, they inspire all of us with their heroic dedication and sacrifice. On World Health Day, April 7, let us cheer them together – with the promise that our gratitude will translate into the tangible support they need and deserve.

Related Events

Launch of the 2020 edition of “The State of the World’s Nursing Report”

(Only in English)

WHO Facebook live - Q&A on the State of the World’s Nursing Report with Carey McCarthy Tuesday, April 7, 10:00 – 10:30 (CEST)

Dr Tedros and Elizabeth Iro: In conversation with nurses and midwives on the COVID-19 frontlines Tuesday, April 7, 14:30 – 15:15 (CEST) Live on WHO social media channels

WHO-hosted State of the World’s Nursing 2020 report event (with Co-Chairs Nursing Now and ICN - Presentation of key findings and primary policy options; comments on report implications from CoChairs and other partners. Wednesday 8 April 2020, 14:00 – 15:00 CEST Zoom call: link will be disseminated

 

book

The State of the World’s Nursing

Download from WHO

 

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Opportunity

World Health Day (WHD), held every year on 7 April, marks one of the key activities of the “International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife,” designated by WHO at the 72nd World Health Assembly.

This year, WHD offers the countries of the Region of the Americas an opportunity to discuss nurses’ contribution to the health of populations, as well as the investments necessary to expand their role, improve their working conditions, and empower them in decision making, thereby  contributing to the improvement of individual, public, and community health.

Objectives

The countries are encouraged to join the WHD global effort by holding promotional events to bolster the impetus generated by the designation of 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. They are likewise encouraged to share stories about nursing and midwifery that will help lower access barriers to health and promote the necessary  investment in this profession.

Nurses from Argentina

Stories from nurses and midwives across the Region of the Americas

The countries of the Region of the Americas are encouraged to share stories about nursing and midwifery that will help lower access barriers to health and promote the necessary investment in this profession.

Read the stories 


Emergency nursing in Jamaica

Trecia Simone Stewart is an emergency nurse working in a hospital situated between two major highways and what she describes as some “volatile” communities in Spanish Town, Jamaica.


Read more


 

Communications Materials and Key Messages for Social Media

Campaign messages for government leaders and decision-makers

“Universal health is a policy option and is possible”

“Nurses and midwives are key to achieving universal health. It is therefore essential to increase their numbers, listen to their voices, and facilitate their work”

“Investing in the nursing and midwifery workforce is cost-effective”

“It is important to make nursing and midwifery a more feasible and attractive option for young people.”

Campaign messages for health service managers, health planners

“Nurses and midwives are an essential part of interprofessional teams in the health services”

“We must respect them, listen to them, and improve their working conditions to increase retention and improve their performance”

Campaign messages for nurses, midwives, other health workers, patients

“The work of nurses and midwives is indispensable for equitable, effective, and accessible comprehensive health services” 

“We must listen to their voices and take full advantage of their skills, knowledge, and compassion”

“We all owe a debt of gratitude to these professionals for their important contributions to the health of populations”

Campaign messages for educators, students, and parents 

“Being a nurse or midwife is a noble, recognized, and valued profession” 

“Nursing and midwifery offer the opportunity for professional and personal satisfaction”

“All countries have training programs and fellowships for nurses; take advantage of them”

More information