History of World Health Organization (WHO)

Smallpox eradication

1958

In 1958, the USSR proposed a WHO-led smallpox
eradication programme. By 1977, the last confirmed case of
smallpox was identified in Somalia. In 1980, the Global
Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication
recommends a halt to routine smallpox vaccination.

Disease Control and Eradication

1960

In the 1960s WHO promoted mass campaigns against yaws,
endemic syphilis, leprosy, and trachoma and helped control
a major cholera pandemic in Asia and the Western Pacific
and the large epidemic of yellow fever in Africa.

Family Planning

1970

In 1970, WHO launched its Expanded Programme of Research, Development, and Research Training in Human Reproduction, which was to focus on fertility regulation and birth-control methods.

Childhood immunisation

1974

In 1974, WHO launched its Expanded Programme on Immunization, which aimed to vaccinate children worldwide againt diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, poliomyelitis, and tuberculosis. This goal remains unachived but s now being pursued by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.

Alma-Ata

1978

In 1978, WHO adopted the Declaration of Alma-Ata, calling on
all governments to make high-quality primary health care an
essential feature of their national health systems. Following
this declaration, in 1981 WHO adopted a global strategy for
achieving health for all by 2000. The key to achieving this
goal was to make primary health care the “central function
and main focus of the country’s health system”

Maternal Morbidity

1987

In 1987, WHO launched the Safe Motherhood Initiative,
which aimed to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality
by 50% by the year 2000. The initiative did not succeed
and maternal health continues to be a major focus of
WHO efforts.

Polio eradication

1988

In 1988, WHO formulated an ambitious plan to achieve
global eradication of poliomyelitis by 2000. This goal was
not met, but efforts continue with the goal of polio
eradication by 2005.

Diseases of lifestyle

1990

In the 1990s, growing awareness of the threat of “lifestyle”
diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and
diabetes led WHO to launch programmes promoting healthy
living and tobacco-free societies

Environment and health

1992

Following the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and
Development (the “Earth Summit”) in Rio de Janeiro, WHO
launched initiatives addressing the health hazards posed to
environmental degradation.

UNAIDS

1993

In 1993, the WHO initiated the joint UN programme on
HIV/AIDS replacing WHO’s Global Programme on AIDS.