Coverage
Universal Health Coverage
Supporting national health systems, essential medicines, and primary care so every person can access quality services close to home.
View moreSpecialized agency · Est. 1948
The highest attainable standard of health, for everyone.
The World Health Organization directs and coordinates international health within the United Nations system — setting norms, shaping the health research agenda, and providing technical support to countries.
Fast-track support for health projects, country programmes, and emergency response needs.
194
Member states
150+
Country offices
8,000+
Staff worldwide
1948
Founded
Our mission
Health for all people, everywhere.
WHO exists so that every person can attain the highest possible standard of health as a fundamental human right. We work with governments and partners to keep the world safe, serve the vulnerable, and promote well-being.
Our approach is grounded in science, driven by evidence, and delivered through country-level partnerships that respect the systems already in place.
01
Universal health coverage
Working with countries so one billion more people benefit from essential health services — without facing financial hardship to receive them.
02
Health emergencies
Preventing, detecting and responding to outbreaks, humanitarian crises and other acute public health events, wherever they occur.
03
Healthier populations
Addressing the root drivers of ill health — nutrition, air quality, road safety, mental health, and the social determinants behind them.
Our work
Three strategic priorities.
Emergencies
Health Emergencies Programme
Global surveillance, outbreak response teams, and coordinated action on epidemics, pandemics and humanitarian health crises.
View morePrevention
Healthier Populations
Guidance and country programmes on non-communicable diseases, immunization, mental health, and environmental risks to health.
View moreGovernance
Directed by our Member States.
The World Health Assembly — attended by delegations from all 194 Member States — sets policy each May in Geneva. The Executive Board, drawn from 34 Member States, gives effect to those decisions.
Our work is coordinated through six regional offices and delivered by country teams, with financial and programme reporting published for public review.
Last World Health Assembly
June 2026
Executive Board members
34
Regional offices
6
Programme budget review
Annual
Audited financial reports
Public
Our people
Scientists, clinicians, and public health experts.
More than 8,000 staff drawn from over 150 nationalities work at WHO — in headquarters in Geneva, in six regional offices, and in country offices around the world.
We are epidemiologists, physicians, data scientists, policy specialists and logisticians — most of us based in the countries and regions we serve.
Below: members of our advisory network, research fellows and country coordinators contributing to WHO programmes across regions.
Work with WHO
Need funding for health work? Start here.
Request support for country programmes, emergency response, and essential health initiatives through our funding pathway.
Looking for collaboration instead? Explore our network →