on july 22, 1946, the un ecosoc held an international health conference in new york, more than 60 countries signed the charter of the world health organization, the world health organization (who) charter take effect on april 7, 1948. by day, to commemorate the organization charter in june 1948, the united nations in geneva on the first world health assembly was formally established the world health organization (who), and decide on july 22, from year to year would be a "world health day", the initiative countries hold commemorative activities. the following year, the second session of the world health assembly considering most of the national school has summer vacation in july each year, unable to attend the celebration, and regulations since 1950 on april 7, as a global "world health day".

determine the purpose of this world health day is to draw the world attention to the health problems, and mobilize the people all over the world widespread concern and improve the health status, improve the level of human health. world health day, the world health organization's member states, including china, are celebrating, promote and popularize health knowledge, improve the level of the people's health.

1946年7月22日，联合国经社理事会在纽约举行了一次国际卫生大会，60多个国家的代表共同签署了《世界卫生组织宪章》，《世界卫生组织宪章》于1948年4月7日生效。为纪念组织宪章通过日，1948年6月，在日内瓦举行的联合国第一届世界卫生大会上正式成立世界卫生组织，并决定将每年的7月22日定为“世界卫生日”，倡议各国举行各种纪念活动。次年，第二届世界卫生大会考虑到每年7月份大部分国家的学校已放暑假，无法参加这一庆祝活动，便规定从1950年起将4月7日作为全球性的“世界卫生日”。

确定世界卫生日的宗旨是希望引起世界各国对卫生问题的重视，并动员世界各国人民普遍关心和改善当前的卫生状况，提高人类健康水平。世界卫生日期间，包括中国在内的世界卫生组织各会员国都举行庆祝活动，推广和普及有关健康知识，提高人民健康水平。