WHO
Meaning of WHO: WHO is the United Nations agency responsible for coordinating international public health efforts, setting health standards, and responding to global disease threats.
Definition of WHO
WHO, or the World Health Organization, is the agency of the United Nations responsible for coordinating international public health matters. It works to set standards for disease prevention and control, supports the development of healthcare systems, and conducts and publishes research on health topics affecting populations around the world.
One of the organization's central goals is expanding access to healthcare and improving health outcomes, particularly in developing countries and among populations that otherwise have limited access to care. The organization also plays a coordinating role during outbreaks of infectious disease that cross national borders, working with member countries to share information and guide a coordinated response.
The WHO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and works alongside national health ministries and other international organizations rather than directly providing clinical care to individuals.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
The hospital's infection control protocol referenced current WHO guidance on the outbreak.
Good to know
The WHO sets international health guidance and coordinates responses among member countries, but it does not replace the role of national or local health authorities in directly managing care within a given country.