An outline of WHO’s Eleventh General Programme of Work

WHO will fulfill its priorities through six core functions set out in the Eleventh General

Programme of Work (GPW):

1. providing leadership on matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where

joint action is needed

2. shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination

of valuable knowledge

3. setting norms and standards, and promoting and monitoring their implementation

4. articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options3

5. providing technical support, catalysing change and building sustainable institutional

capacity

6. monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends.

The framework for WHO's activities for the period 2008-2013 is the General Programme of Work, specifically, the global health agenda and the core functions of the Organization. The work will focus on the five main areas set out below.

1. Providing support to countries in moving to universal coverage with effective public health interventions

2. Providing support to countries in moving to universal coverage with effective public health interventions

3. Generating and sustaining action across sectors to modify the behavioural, social, economic and environmental determinants of health

4. Increasing institutional capacities to deliver health system functions under the strengthened governance of ministries of health

5. Strengthening WHO’s leadership at the global and regional levels and supporting the work of governments at the country level

WHO activities in these five areas focuses on 16 strategic objectives (SOs) , reflecting the results-based management framework, and providing clear, measurable and budgeted expected results for the Organization over the period of the Medium-term strategic plan. They promote collaboration across disease-specific programmes by capturing the multiple linkages among the determinants of health and health outcomes, policies, systems and technologies. The SO titles and objectives are listed below.

1. To reduce the health, social and economic burden of communicable diseases

2. To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis

3. Prevent and reduce disease, disability and premature death from chronic

noncommunicable conditions, mental disorders, violence and injuries

4. To reduce morbidity and mortality and improve health during key stages of life, including pregnancy, childbirth, the neonatal period, childhood and adolescence, and improve sexual and reproductive health and promote active and healthy ageing for all individuals, using a life-course approach and addressing equity gaps.

5. Reduce the health consequences of emergencies, disasters, crises and conflicts, and minimize their social and economic impact.

6. Promote health and development, prevent and reduce risk factors for health conditions associated with tobacco, alcohol, drugs and other psychoactive substance use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and unsafe sex.

7. Address the underlying social and economic determinants of health through policies and

programmes that enhance health equity and integrate pro-poor, gender-responsive, and human rights-based approaches.

8. Promote a healthier environment, intensify primary prevention and influence public policies in all sectors so as to address the root causes of environmental threats to health.

9. To improve nutrition, food safety and food security, throughout the life-course, and in support of public health and sustainable development.

10. To improve the organization, management and delivery of health services.

11. To strengthen leadership, governance and the evidence base of health systems.

12. Ensure improved access, quality and use of medical products and technologies.

13. To ensure an available, competent, responsive and productive health workforce in order to improve health outcomes.

14. To extend social protection through fair, adequate and sustainable financing.

15. Provide leadership, strengthen governance and foster partnership and collaboration in engagement with countries, to fulfil the mandate of WHO in advancing the global health agenda as articulated in the 11th General Programme of Work.

16. Develop and sustain WHO as a flexible, learning Organization, enabling it to more efficiently and effectively carry out its mandate.