A Year of Global Health Days

Opens the year on 4 February. The description says it was established on 4 February 2000 at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris, where the Charter of Paris Against Cancer was signed, and that the Union for International Cancer Control leads it.

Falls on 24 March, the date the entry gives for the 1882 announcement by Robert Koch to the Berlin Physiological Society that he had found the tuberculosis bacillus, so the day rests on a discovery rather than a founding.

Held on 7 April under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization. Its date marks the founding of the WHO: the First World Health Assembly in 1948 chose 7 April as World Health Day, with effect from 1950.

Observed on 25 April each year to raise awareness and highlight global efforts against malaria. It comes eighteen days after World Health Day.

Observed on 31 May. The entry says it informs the public about the dangers of tobacco use and the business practices of tobacco companies, and about what the World Health Organization and people worldwide can do to protect health.

Held on 14 June and first organized in 2004 by the World Health Organization with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations and the International Society of Blood Transfusion. It thanks voluntary donors.

Observed on 10 October and first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health. The entry describes it as a day of education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.

Closes the year on 1 December and has been observed every year since 1988. It marks the AIDS pandemic caused by HIV infection and honors those who have died, often with education on prevention and control.