Health 2020 and action plan for public health – new understanding of public health

Abstract

One of the key messages of the World Health Organization (WHO) is the assumption that the health of all people, achieving peace and security all over the world and attaining the highest possible level of health are among the most fundamental human rights. This idea accompanied the creation of WHO in 1948 and was the result of over a century-long history of operations conducted by many other international organizations, which to a lesser or greater extent adopted the goal of improving health, reaching beyond the territory of one country [1]. The basic tasks of the Organization are primarily the planning and coordination of activities in all areas of health, directing research, setting norms and standards, offering the option of health policies based on knowledge and scientific evidence and direct assistance and cooperation with the member states. The support for countries in their preparations for the creation of a policy framework and strategies for health plays a key role. The measures for the development of common guidelines for these policies gained pace particularly in the 70s of the twentieth century, when the realization of the fundamental assumptions of WHO, stipulating the achievement of the highest attainable standard of health by all, was still a considerable distant vision. In the face of such a challenge, WHO and the member states decided to develop a framework for translating the vision of universal health for people into specific strategies and policies. This process began in 1977, when WHO and member states commenced work on the strategy “Health for All” by the year 2000 [2].