World Health Day 2010

Today, April 7th, is World Health Day. With the campaign 1000 Cities, 1000 Lives, events will be organized worldwide during the week of April 7-11, 2010. Sponsored by the World Health Organization, the global goals of the campaign are:

:: 1000 Cities: to open up public spaces to health, whether it be activities in parks, town hall meetings, clean-up campaigns, or closing off portions of streets to motorized vehicles.

:: 1000 Lives: to collect 1000 stories of urban health champions who have taken action and had a significant impact on health in their cities.

In 1948, the First World Health Assembly called for the creation of a "World Health Day" to mark the founding of the World Health Organization. Since 1950, World Health Day has been celebrated on the 7th of April annually. Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights a priority area of concern for WHO.

World Health Day is a worldwide opportunity to focus on key public health issues that affect the international community. World Health Day launches longer-term advocacy programmes that continue well beyond 7 April.

The following links provide an overview of the past World Health Days:

2009: Make hospitals safe in emergencies
2008: Protecting health from climate change
2007: International health security
2006: Working together for health
2005: Make every mother and child count
2004: Road safety
2003: Healthy environments for children
2002: Move for health
2001: Mental health: stop exclusion--dare to care

For more on the history of the World Health Organization, visit the WHO web site:

:: WHO 60th Anniversary
:: WHO Historical Collection
:: Archives of the WHO
:: Global Health Histories
:: Posters from Public Health Campaigns

UNC Launches First Global Health Challenge Competition

UNC is launching the first Global Health Challenge, an interdisciplinary case competition for UNC students of all levels. Students will work together on teams to develop innovative solutions to a topical global health situation. Teams of 4-6 students will present their recommendations to a panel of expert judges.

First Prize: $2,500
Second Prize: $1,000

UNC’s Global Health Challenge is developed and executed by a multidisciplinary student planning committee. The 2010 planning committee consists of students from the schools of public health, law, business, pharmacy and dentistry.

Key Dates

:: Registration will begin on Monday, March 1 and will close on Monday, March 15. The competition is limited to 10 teams and we expect the field to fill quickly.

:: Monday, March 22 is the mandatory kick-off event where registrants will receive important competition information and obtain the case materials. Teams may work on the case at their discretion over the course of the week.

:: Friday, March 26: Team work space and food will be provided from noon to midnight. Presentations are due March 26th at midnight.

:: Saturday, March 27, 9:00-3:00: Presentations and judging, and announcement of winners.

The Global Health Challenge is sponsored by Futures Group Global and Don and Jennifer Holzworth; the Kenan-Flagler MBA Healthcare Club; the Delta Omega Honor Society; and the UNC Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases.

For more information about the Global Health Challenge competition, contact Kristen Brugh, or visit the Global Health Challenge web site.