This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on World Health Day, which takes place on Friday 7 April. This year’s theme is ‘Depression: Let’s Talk’.
World Health Day, 7 April 2017 (91KB PDF)
World Health Day is observed on 7 April each year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO). It is among a number of global health days promoted by the WHO, which provides a “unique opportunity to mobilise action around a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world”. The health theme for 2017 is ‘Depression: Let’s Talk’. Preceding the day, the WHO undertakes a range of promotional activities, including events, and makes available news releases, resources for government and policymakers and tailored materials for different world regions.
World Health Day, 7 April 2017 (91KB PDF)
The UK is a signatory to the convention establishing an international claims commission for Ukraine. The commission would assess claims for compensation for damage and losses caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has broadly welcomed the convention, but also raised concerns about the scope and efficacy of the commission.
There have been big differences in expenditure across different forms of healthcare for a number of years. In 2024/25, spending on acute care was £74.7bn, compared to £14.5bn on primary care and £13.8bn on community services. Both the 2024 Labour Party manifesto and the subsequent 10 year health plan for England contained an emphasis on shifting towards more care being delivered in local communities rather than in acute settings, dubbed a ‘neighbourhood health service’.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as ME or chronic fatigue syndrome, is a long-term health condition that is estimated to affect over 400,000 people in the UK. It is a fluctuating condition with symptoms including fatigue, sleep problems and brain fog. In 2025 the government published its final delivery plan on ME, which aimed to improve care and support for those with the condition.
