696 



II. The World Health Organization 

 ConHthutio-nal Foundations of the Wo?Id Health Organhation 



The World Health Organization (WHO) was established by the 

 so-called "Arrangement of July 22, 1946" as a specialized agency with- 

 in the terms of Article 57 of the Charter of the United Nations. Tlie 

 United States became a member of WHO on June 21, 1948. The inter- 

 national policies upon which the United States and the other contract- 

 ing parties agreed when they became members of WHO are presented 

 in the WHO Constitution under "principles," "objective," and 

 "functions." 



Among the accepted principles for the promotion and protection of 

 the health of all peoples is the often-quoted WHO definition of health 

 as being "* * * a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being 

 and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity".^" 



International or globally-oriented principles of WHO declare that : 



Tlie health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment 

 of i^eace and security and is dependent upon the fullest co- 

 operation of individuals and States. 



The achievement of any State in the promotion and protec- 

 tion of health is of value to all. 



Unequal development in different countries in the promo- 

 tion of health and control of disease, especially communic- 

 able disease, is a common danger.^^ 



WHO has a single objective which is : "The attainment by all peoples 

 of the highest possible level of health." ^^ 



The 22 Constitutional functions of 'V^rHO, regarded as essential to 

 the achievement of the above objective, are broad and inclusive ; indeed 

 they have been called the Magna Charta for international health : 



(a) to act as the directing and f^o-ordinating authority on 

 international health work ; 



(b) to establish and maintain effective collaboration with 

 the United Nations, specialized agencies, governmental health 

 administrations, professional groups and such other organiza- 

 tions as may be deemed appropriate ; 



(c) to assist governments, upon request, in strengthening 

 health services; 



(d) to furnish appropriate technical assistance and, in 

 emergencies, necessary aid upon the request or acceptance of 

 governments ; 



(e) to provide or assist in providing, upon the request of 

 the United Nations, health services and facilities to special 

 groups, such as the peoples of trust territories ; 



(f ) to establish and maintain such administrative and tech- 

 nical services as may be required, including epidemiological 

 and statistical services ; 



33 



an w'orld Health Organization. "Constitution Adopted by the United States of America 

 and Other Governments," Department of State Publication 3318, (1949), page 3. 



^ Idem. Principles quoted in part. 



^ Ibid., Chapter I, Article 1, page 4. 



33 Remarks of Dr. Parran, Surgeon General of the United States, at the concludihg meet- 

 ing of the WHO Constitutional session. (U. N. Document E/H/VPI8), page 2. 



