Date context
Constitution effective 7 April 1948
Post-war international health cooperation
During discussions establishing the United Nations, Brazilian and Chinese representatives proposed an international health organization. The 1946 International Health Conference drafted and adopted its constitution. Signature was followed by ratification, with entry into force on 7 April 1948.
Functions and the concept of health
The constitution sets improvement of health for all peoples as its objective and connects health with physical, mental and social conditions. Coordinating health work, research and information exchange are among its functions, giving its remit a scope broader than any single disease or treatment.
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Member states and institutional structure
The World Health Assembly brings together member-state representatives, alongside an Executive Board, Secretariat and regional structures with different responsibilities. Work proceeds through countries and partner institutions; implementation depends on national health systems and other participants as well as WHO itself.
Recording public-health achievements
Disease prevention and health standards require sustained cooperation among laboratories, health workers, governments and civil organizations. Historical accounts should identify WHO’s particular coordinating, informational or programme role rather than attributing collective work across countries to one organization acting alone.