2007 World Health Day focuses on health security, global cooperation.

Improving international health security, breaking down boundaries that prevent access to care and fostering cross-border cooperation on health issues were all key issues as health leaders kicked off World Health Day activities in April.

Meeting in Singapore on April 2, health advocates launched the World Health Day 2007 theme of "Invest in Health, Build a Safer Future." Threats to global health security highlighted during the day included emerging and rapidly spreading diseases, environmental change and bioterrorism. Also, sudden and intense humanitarian emergencies caused by natural disasters, chemical spills or radioactive accidents as well as the impact of HIV/AIDS are constant global concerns, especially in developing countries.

"The uncertainty and destructive potential of disease outbreaks and acute public health emergencies gives them a high public and political profile," said World Health Organization Director-general Margaret Chan, MD, MPH.

After a debate on health security among such health leaders as Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and a "town hall" type discussion, WHO officials and others in the international health community officially celebrated World Health Day on April 7.

"The theme of this year's World Health Day, international health security, is apt given the global health landscape today," Loong said. "In a highly interconnected world, diseases spread fast and recognize no boundaries. Cooperation among nations is crucial, for we all have a responsibility to one another."

In his World Health Day message, United Nations Secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon pointed out that the revised International Health Regulations that went into effect in June "represent a milestone in the world's efforts to build and reinforce effective mechanisms for disease outbreak alert and response at the national and international levels. It is essential for all of us that every country implements fully these regulations."

The 2005 regulations, the world's first legally binding agreement in the fight against public health emergencies of global stature, were drafted in response to outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome and avian influenza.

According to an issue paper released by WHO in April, the top threats to international health security include emerging diseases, terrorism threats and economic instability.

WHO plans to highlight international health security in more detail in its 2007 World Health Report, scheduled to be released later this year. The 2008 World Health Day will focus on personal health security, exploring such issues as primary health care and the humanitarian response to natural disasters and complex emergencies.

This year's World Health Day issue paper underscores the health security theme by calling for "coordinated action and cooperation between and within governments, the corporate sector, civil society, media and individuals."

The World Health Day brief, "Issue Paper: Invest in Health, Build a Safer Future," is online at www.who.int/world-healthday/2007/en/index.html.