In which year was WHO established?

Appeared in: UP CHO - 2018

Explanation

The World Health Organization (WHO) was officially established when its Constitution came into force on 7 April 1948.
This date is significant as it marks the formal beginning of the WHO's work as the directing and coordinating authority on international health.
To commemorate its founding, 7 April is celebrated annually as World Health Day, with a different theme each year focusing on a specific global health issue.

Option A: 1946 was the year the Constitution of the WHO was drafted and signed by 61 states during the International Health Conference in New York.
Option B: During 1947, an Interim Commission, which was set up in 1946, carried out the preparatory work for the WHO.
Option D: 1949 is not a significant year in the context of the WHO's founding. By this time, the organization was already established and operational.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The founding of the WHO on April 7, 1948, is commemorated as World Health Day. Nurses are often at the forefront of celebrating this day by participating in and organizing health awareness campaigns, screenings, and educational events in the community.
Understanding the history of WHO helps nurses appreciate the context of global health policies, immunization schedules (like the Expanded Programme on Immunization), and disease eradication efforts (like smallpox) that directly impact national and local health practices.
What if the question asked about the first major program by WHO? The answer would relate to efforts in controlling infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and venereal diseases, which were among its earliest priorities.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: It asks for a specific historical date related to a major global organization (WHO).
Recognize this as a factual recall question. The answer relies on knowledge of key dates in global health history.
Analyze the options. The years are consecutive, suggesting the need for precise knowledge of the timeline.
Recall or deduce the correct year. The establishment of a major organization often involves several steps (proposal, constitution drafting, official launch). The 'establishment' usually refers to the date the organization formally began operations.
Associate the date with a memorable event if possible. The establishment of WHO is linked to World Health Day (April 7th), which helps anchor the year 1948 in memory.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart B (pp 276-535 of 550) pp. 204-206, 203-205

Practise the full UP CHO - 2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.