What is the World Health Organization (WHO)?
General information only. This article explains the basics and is not medical advice. For anything about your own health, talk to a doctor or other qualified professional.
Quick answer
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency for international public health. Founded on April 7, 1948, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, it sets global health standards, coordinates responses to outbreaks and supports countries’ health systems. In French and Spanish it’s called the OMS.
Key facts
- Founded
- April 7, 1948 (World Health Day)
- Headquarters
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Member states
- About 190
- Director-General
- Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (since 2017)
- Website
- who.int
What the WHO does
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Emergencies | Coordinating responses to outbreaks such as Ebola, mpox and COVID-19 |
| Standards and guidance | Global guidelines on everything from nutrition to safe medicines |
| Disease programs | Work on malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and polio eradication |
| Vaccines | Approving (“prequalifying”) vaccines and supporting immunization campaigns |
| Data | Tracking health statistics worldwide and publishing classifications like the ICD used by doctors |
| Health systems | Helping countries build primary care and train health workers |
The WHO is credited with leading the effort that eradicated smallpox, declared in 1980.
How it’s run and funded
The World Health Assembly, made up of member states, meets each year in Geneva to set policies and elect the Director-General. Funding comes from member state dues and voluntary contributions from governments, foundations and other donors; voluntary money makes up most of the budget and is often tied to specific programs.
Recent changes
The United States, historically the largest funder, withdrew from the WHO in January 2026, a year after announcing its departure, and Argentina also announced its withdrawal. The organization has since cut budgets and staff. Supporters argue the WHO is essential for coordinating global health; critics have questioned its handling of crises such as COVID-19 and its independence from member governments.
What is the WHO Academy?
The WHO Academy, based in Lyon, France, offers training and online courses for health workers, many of them free.
OMS and other names
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| French | Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) |
| Spanish | Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) |
For health topics explained simply, see what RSV is and why sleep is important.
Still curious?
Jump to a random question from the archive.