The post-pandemic world is a changed place and it has taught us a new way of living life. Masks, sanitisers, liquid soaps have taken a permanent seat in our handbags. Healthy eating and lifestyle have also been inculcated by many.

Along with physical health, being healthy also implies mental and social well-being. People tend to be more productive and fit. Every year, World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 to promote awareness of people’s general health and well-being. The theme of this year’s World Health Day 2022 is ‘Our Planet, Our Health.’ It is an attempt to recognise the widespread contribution of medical faculty and their success.

But how many of us have thought about ‘Health’  of the world as a whole?

Apart from an individual’s health, it is important that our Mother Earth’s health is also looked after. As long as the Earth is healthy, so will be its inhabitants.

Here are some of the ways how every individual can contribute to Mother Earth’s health

Air pollution: One of biggest concerns as always is the increasing air pollution. It is harmful to our health, and it impacts the environment – reducing visibility and blocking sunlight, causing acid rain, and harming forests, wildlife, and agriculture. It is also the cause of climate change, in turn affecting the entire planet. To combat this, individuals can responsibly carry out their part. 

• Walking/cycling/using public transport.
• Avoid using single use plastics (SUPs) like  plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.
• Avoid burning leaves, crop stubble and garbage: Open stubble burning emits large amounts of toxic pollutants in the atmosphere which contain harmful gases which may eventually cause smog.
• Switching to green fuels like Electric vehicles

Waste Management: Waste management (or waste disposal) includes the processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitoring and regulation of the waste management process finally raising awareness about recycling the same. 

The World Health Orgnaisation (WHO) made the first World Health Assembly in 1948 and established World Health Day. The first World Health Day was held on April 7, 1950 and it has been celebrated on the day every year ever since.

Also Read:  Let’s turn the spotlight on Health  #WorldHealthDay