April 7 — World Health Day: theme and events in 2025

World Health Day is celebrated annually on April 7, the day of the creation of the World Health Organization (WHO). The International Date reminds of the need for personal responsibility for one's health and draws attention to global health problems. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Monday. Izvestia tells about the history of the holiday and under what motto it will be held this year.

The history of World Health Day, celebrated on April 7

World Health Day has been celebrated worldwide since 1950. The idea of establishing such a holiday was put forward at the first session of the World Health Assembly, which was held two years earlier in Geneva.

April 7 was chosen as the date, since on this day in 1948 the charter of the World Health Organization was signed, one of the largest institutions of the United Nations system, of which 194 countries of the world are members today.

This day is considered the WHO's birthday and later became known as World Health Day. Every year, the holiday is dedicated to a specific issue that sets the direction of work for the whole year.

The theme of World Health Day in 2025

In 2025, the theme of World Health Day is "A healthy start to life is the key to a prosperous future." Within its framework, the World Health Organization intends to give priority attention to motherhood and the problem of infant mortality, which remains relevant in the modern world.

"The health of mothers and newborns is the foundation of family and community health and the key to a prosperous future. Meanwhile, about 300,000 women die every year from complications of pregnancy or childbirth. Millions of stillbirths are registered worldwide, and more than 2 million babies die in the first month of life," the organization's website says.

Throughout the year, WHO and partners will disseminate useful information on women's health during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as on the well-being of mothers and infants during the postpartum period. Everyone will be able to talk about their personal experiences of pregnancy and childbirth and express gratitude to those who provide them with high-quality medical and other care.

Last year, World Health Day was held under the slogan "My health is my right." Its purpose was to promote the right of everyone to decent medical care and living conditions, including the environmental situation, and to counteract factors that threaten the health of people around the world.

Other topics from previous years were "Our planet, our health", "Urbanization and Health", "Active longevity changes lives", "Food safety", "High blood pressure", "Protecting health from climate change".

How will the holiday be celebrated in Russia and the world?

Traditionally, World Health Day is accompanied by mass events, conferences and flash mobs around the world. Medical organizations provide free medical consultations. Cultural and educational institutions organize educational events to promote a healthy lifestyle. The events and the theme of the holiday are widely covered in the mass media (mass media).

A large program for the celebration is prepared annually in the cities of Russia. In 2025, festivals and events are planned to be held in museums, libraries, schools and parks as part of the holiday. The venues "Physical activity", "Mental health", and "Medical examination" will be organized in the central squares, where everyone will be able to learn about the medical indicators of their body and receive recommendations from specialists.

An All-Russian lesson "Be healthy!" will be held for schoolchildren, during which students will be told about the need to take care of their health. Therapeutic health checks and on-site medical examinations are organized for older people. They will be held before the end of the month at many enterprises, shopping malls and public places.

In addition, thematic banners dedicated to a healthy lifestyle (HLS) will be posted in the regions, and digital greeting cards designed specifically for the holiday by specialists of the National Priorities NGO will be shared on social networks.

Earlier, Izvestia told how the International Doctor's Day is celebrated in the world.