This year's theme of World Health Day is "Working Together for Health" presenting us with the opportunity to reflect upon and bring attention to the global contribution that Scouting makes to the improvement of health, and bringing further potential for development in every corner of the Globe where Scouts are present. In many ways, and at different levels, Scouting is an impressive agent of change for the benefit oflocal communities and society as a whole.

Scouting's contribution to global health includes programmes that cover the areas: Immunisation; Hygiene; Malaria; Nutrition; HIV/AIDS; Leprosy; Oral Rehydration Therapy; Handicap/Special Needs; Reproductive Health; Drugs/Drug Addiction; Mental Health. For example, some of World Scouting's successful projects have included immunisation programmes in Pakistan and Angola, and helping to eliminate Leprosy as a public health hazard in no fewer than 18 countries.

In the past decade, even greater collaboration has emerged between Scouts, NGOs, Institutions and several UN agencies tackling and fighting health hazards through the Scout method in order to improve the living conditions of some of the most disadvantaged communities in the world. This Method has proved effective in mobilisng and involving youth, parents and communities disseminating information to out-reach groups in particular, through peer-to-peer communication.

The Day serves as a launch for a long-term advocacy program for which activities will be undertaken and resources provided well beyond 7 April.

So this Friday, World Scouting is calling upon all Scouts to Work Together for Health and help to create a better world.

Link:
http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2006/en/