"My health, my right". This is the theme chosen for World Health Day, promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is celebrated on 7 April. This year's theme recalls the importance of "defending the right of everyone, everywhere, to have access to quality health services, education and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, decent working and environmental conditions and freedom from discrimination ".
The WHO underlines that around the world, the right to health of millions of people is increasingly threatened. "Illnesses and disasters - he writes - loom as causes of death and disability. Conflicts devastate human lives, causing death, pain and psychological distress. The use of fossil fuels is fueling the climate crisis and at the same time is taking away the right to breathe clean air, with indoor and outdoor air pollution claiming a life every 5 seconds."
At least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in the Constitution, yet too many are failing to pass or actually enact laws to guarantee a greater right to access health services. This underlies the fact that at least 4.5 billion people - more than half the world's population - were still not fully covered by essential health services in 2021.
There are various initiatives in Italy for the day: from 6 to 12 April the Asst Papa Giovanni of Bergamo offers screening for HPV and hepatitis C, information meetings and health education stations in clinics, community homes and at the SerD. Prevention days dedicated to HPV vaccinations and Pap tests are scheduled from 9 to 11 April at the Milan Polyclinic. While in Siena there are free screenings in municipal pharmacies and dental consultations in the square.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA