World Health Day 2025: Healthy beginnings, hopeful future

World Health Day is celebrated by the World Health Organization (WHO) every 7th of April to draw attention to the importance that everyone, everywhere to achieve the highest level of health and well-being.

Each year, the WHO draws on a theme to bring closer attention to areas that require greater support for change. This year, the campaign is focusing on the health of mothers and babies to: “urge governments and the health community to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and wellbeing.”¹

The Institute for Healthy Urban Living is paying homage to the WHO’s commitment to improving health by linking it with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, “Good Health and well-being for all at all ages”², a priority for the University of Westminster. SDG 3 is about prevention through widening knowledge and accessibility to healthy lifestyles and mental health, including access to quality essential healthcare services. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are heavily influenced by environmental and behavioural factors, such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, exposure to tobacco smoke, harmful use of alcohol, and air pollution are all attributed to premature deaths. “NCDs are chronic illnesses that cannot be passed from person to person and account for 70% of global deaths and are not the leading cause of mortality and mobility in almost every world region.”³

Half of UK children are meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines for daily physical activity. According to Sport England, nearly a third of adults in England (25.7%) are physically inactive⁴. This highlights the importance of understanding the tools and resources available to improve and maintain your health and well-being. Prevention is key, and being informed about your health can make all the difference.

That’s why on April 7th, the Institute for Healthy Urban Living, in partnership with colleagues across the university and external partners, will offer a range of services, opportunities, and knowledge exchange sessions to help students and staff learn more about their health. This event is designed to support positive behaviour changes that promote prevention and longevity.

On the day, taking place on the ground floor of the New Cavendish campus, students and staff are invited to participate in a variety of activities. You can have your blood pressure checked or attend one of two interactive lectures focused on managing pre-exam stress through yoga techniques. These sessions will also cover strategies to regulate the nervous system during high-pressure situations and reduce anxiety. Below is the full itinerary for April 7th—be sure to sign up and take advantage of the valuable resources available to you!