Each year on April 7^th, the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates the anniversary of its founding with by a different theme every year, World Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness, and inspire action, regarding various health issues facing people around the world.

Health Challenges Around The World

If you live in a developed country such as Canada, the health issues you are most likely aware of, or personally affected by, include examples such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, depression, or anxiety to name only a few. Here at home, charities searching for solutions to discover medical cures, educating the public on tips to decrease medical risk factors, or increasing access to services and support for those living with or recovering from medical illnesses.

However, in emerging or conflict-affected parts of the world, health challenges can be very different, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and access to basic medications and healthcare. The solutions, in many cases, exist and are readily available in other parts of the world, but charities working to solve these health issues are challenged with the task of delivering the solutions to areas in need.

The number of health issues affecting different parts of the world is endless, but luckily, there are countless charities working on the local, national, and global to affect positive change and save lives. This World Health Day, you can be a part of the solution by contributing to a cause you feel passionate about.

Help Locally

One of the most rewarding ways to give back is within your own community. You or someone you know may have experienced benefited from a local healthcare provider when faced with a medical challenge, and World Health Day is a great opportunity to recognize their work, and contribute to supporting their efforts. Here are a few locally based organizations you may want to contribute to this World Health Day:

• SickKids Foundation is working towards creating healthier children and a better world at their hospital located in Toronto, Ontario.
• Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia supports mental health initiatives within Nova Scotia communities, and aims at increasing mental health education and awareness.
• Alzheimer Society of British Columbia helps to fund Alzheimer’s research to search for a cure, while providing support to caregivers throughout British Columbia.

Help Nationally

If you have been touched by a deadly or incurable disease, you may be inclined to support a national organization focused on investing in research for a cure, educating the public on mitigate risk factors, or working to influence healthcare policy within government. Consider supporting the following national charities this World Health Day:

• Heart and Stroke Foundation aims to improve the health of Canadians by preventing and reducing disability and death from heart disease and stroke.
• Canadian Diabetes Association is working to educate Canadians about diabetes and invest in finding a cure for diabetes.
• Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation aims to conquer cancer in our lifetime.
• Autism Canada Foundation works with children, parents, and caregivers of those living with Autism, to provide support and guidance.

Help Globally

We’re talking about World Health Day after all, so it’s the perfect time to donate to an organization working on a global scale to provide basic healthcare to those who are most vulnerable. You may never experience the benefits first-hand, but you’ll be doing your part to help the global community thrive.

• World Vision is providing water, sanitation and medication to prevent women and children from contracting infections and other disease.
• Doctors Without Borders is providing crucial medical care to people affected by war, civil strife, epidemics, natural disasters and social marginalization.
• Mercy Ships Canada provides primary medical care to people around the world from a hospital ship which includes more than 450 volunteer crew.

There are many more organizations to choose from when looking for a charity to donate to this World Health Day. Whether you choose to give on the local, national or global level, you can be sure your generous contribution will make an impact on the health challenges faced by people all around the world.

See the full list of health charities on CanadaHelps and donate now.

 

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Updated on November 1, 2024