It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver – Mahatma Gandhi
There is no denying that the above words could not be truer. Hence, it is no surprise that there has been a day dedicated to health right from 1950. First celebrated on 7 April, 1950, World Health Day is a powerful global reminder that health is not a privilege, but a fundamental human right. “It brings collective attention to the most pressing health challenges faced by people across the world, while encouraging governments, institutions, and individuals to take meaningful action. People today are just getting through the day: work, responsibilities and everything else. Health take a back seat and becomes something we will ‘look at later’. So, a dedicated day like World Health Day forces one to pause and ask oneself, ‘Am I really okay?’ Not just physically, but mentally, socially and emotionally as well,” says Dr. Malini Saba, Psychologist, Philanthropist, social rights activist, founder Saba Family Foundations.
World Health Day in the Current Times
It is important to note that while some of us are talking about wellness, a lot of people are still struggling for basic healthcare. It is a fact that good health is not a privilege but a fundamental right. But quality healthcare still remains a luxury for many communities and people in several countries. World Healthy day instituted by the World Health Organization (WHO) aims to reduce this gap. It has become critical in achieving goals like spreading awareness about diseases, ensuring healthcare equity and focusing on global health systems.
The theme of World Health Day 2026 is “Together for health. Stand with science”. It recognizes the immense power of science and the importance of the application of scientific methods to protect the health of all living beings. It celebrates scientific achievements and the power of science to transform lives.
World Health Day Everyday
Despite advancements, certain health challenges continue to persist globally and some of them include:
- Chronic stress and burnout due to demanding lifestyles
- Rising mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression
- Lifestyle-related illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease
- Digital fatigue and sleep disruption
- Lack of access to equitable healthcare in many communities
Given the undeniable importance of good health, it is key that one sets health goals that are holistic and sustainable rather than extreme or short-term. Some realistic goals according to Dr Saba are:
- Learning to regulate stress, anxiety, and emotional responses for Emotional balance.
- Create space for reflection, mindfulness, and self-awareness for Mental clarity
- Regular movement, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest is important for Physical fitness
- Maintain consistency
- Routine health check-ups instead of reactive treatment for Preventive care
- Maintaining a healthy relationship with technology for Digital discipline.
And one thing to keep in mind in the current year is to reduce the overload. “There is just too much coming at us all the time; information, expectations, comparisons. You do not need to respond to everything; you do not need to consume everything. Take break from screens without feeling like you are missing out on something. You are not. And also, listen to your body a little more. We have got into this habit of pushing through everything; fatigue, stress, even pain. Build strong human connections; loneliness is one of the biggest silent health risks today” quips Dr Saba.
Empathy and Compassion
Dr Saba further adds that people often forget to pause and care for themselves and others. “True well-being comes from compassion, both self-compassion and empathy for those around us. Just do not make health another thing to be perfect at. You do not need to have everything figured out. Start with small awareness: how you’re feeling, what your body is telling you, how you’re reacting to things. That itself changes a lot. On this World Health Day, I encourage everyone to take one small step; not just for their own well-being, but for someone else’s too. Because sometimes someone close to you is struggling and not saying anything. Just being present for people also matters more than we realise” concludes Dr Saba.
