World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations system's global health agency, founded in 1948 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Among its core functions is the development of international health standards and policy guidance: the organisation sets norms that shape national health policy and serves as the authoritative voice on international health matters. It also conducts health research and provides technical support to its 194 Member States, work that touches on regulatory frameworks, health systems strengthening and the drafting of policy positions at national and international level.

Alongside its normative role, WHO coordinates international responses to public health emergencies, including cholera outbreaks and Ebola epidemics, and leads pandemic preparedness efforts. Its stated goals include universal health coverage - targeted at a billion more people having coverage - mental health, and advancing global health equity, with particular attention to vulnerable populations.

The organisation employs more than 8,000 professionals across six regional offices covering Africa, the Americas, South-East Asia, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific, giving it a presence across 194 Member States. Its workforce spans public health experts, epidemiologists, scientists and managers, working within a culture of international cooperation. More information is available at https://www.who.int/.