Who belongs to WHO?

All countries which are Members of the United Nations may become members of WHO by accepting its constitution. Other countries may be admitted as members when their application has been approved by a simple majority vote of the World Health Assembly. Currently, WHO has 191 member countries (or member states).

What does it do?
In supporting its objective to attain the highest level of health for all peoples, the WHO has a wide range of functions, including:

•     acting as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work;
•     promoting technical cooperation on health matters;
•     assisting governments, upon request, in strengthening their health services;
•     furnishing appropriate technical assistance and, in emergencies, necessary aid upon the request or acceptance of Governments;
•     stimulating and advancing the prevention and control of epidemic, endemic and other diseases;
•     promoting, in cooperation with other specialized agencies where necessary, the improvement of nutrition, housing, sanitation, recreation, economic or working conditions and other aspects of environmental hygiene;
•     promoting improved standards of teaching and training in the health, medical and related professions;
•     establishing and stimulating the establishment of international standards for biological, pharmaceutical and similar products, and to standardize diagnostic procedures;
•     fostering activities in the field of mental health, especially those affecting the harmony of human relations;
•     proposing conventions, agreements, regulations, and making recommendations about international nomenclature of diseases, causes of death and public health practices. It develops establishes and promotes international standards concerning foods and biological, pharmaceutical and similar substances.