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21 December marks the first World Meditation Day, a United Nations observance celebrating the power of meditation for physical and mental well-being. Rooted in ancient traditions and recognized globally for reducing stress and enhancing focus, meditation is a vital self-care tool highlighted by the World Health Organization for managing anxiety. As people across cultures and ages embrace this practice, the observance inspires collective mindfulness and a commitment to health and harmony. Join the global movement and explore the benefits of stillness for a brighter, more sustainable future.

“We cannot have health without peace. ����AV is the most urgent medicine.”

As a doctor, Dr. Hans Kluge helped save lives in some of the toughest places on Earth. Now the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, he is working to improve the health of hundreds of millions of people - in a region stretching from Vladivostok to Lisbon.

“My dream and my vision is that we have a culture of health [...] independent of your financial means, your sexual orientation, whether you are documented or an undocumented migrant, that you are empowered to live a healthy life, [...] we have to have universal health coverage.”

Stepping into his European role just as a global pandemic swept the earth, Hans never dreamed that his previous experience in crisis-hit sub-Saharan Africa would prove so useful. In this episode, Hans reflects on lessons learned during COVID, the mental health crisis, and on surprising methods to build trust with remote communities.

Photo: ©WHO

What do you do every day to take care of your mental health?

In the words of Orlando Bloom, , "Sometimes it just takes a walk". 

Malak, 22, was pregnant when the war in Gaza started. Forced to flee the bombs and tanks, she spent months being repeatedly displaced and searching desperately for prenatal care. See the terrible reality for pregnant women like Malak of giving birth in Gaza.

UNEP's report "" calls for global attention and proactive measures to address emerging challenges impacting planetary health and human wellbeing, emphasizing the need for foresight and adaptive governance.

Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that usually manifests during early childhood. It affects people irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status. Appropriate support, accommodation and acceptance of this neurological variation allow those on the Autism Spectrum to enjoy equal opportunity, and full and effective participation in society. The 2024 observance marks a significant milestone, as it endeavors to offer a comprehensive global perspective on the state of affairs concerning autism, uniquely centered on the voices and experiences of autistic individuals themselves.

Fadimata, a 4-year-old advocate for promoting good nutrition and hygiene practices, through initiatives by , is spreading awareness in her local community.

Today, half of the world’s population does not have access to essential health services. Out-of-pocket health expenses leave an estimated 2 billion people facing financial hardship, including 344 million people living in extreme poverty. It is time to get progress towards health for all back on track. On 12 December, International Universal Health Coverage Day, join us to demand action on universal health coverage and call on leaders to invest in health systems and primary healthcare for all that leave no one behind. Our lives, livelihoods and futures depend on it.

The (WHO) and the global health community are urging negotiators to prioritize the on in the upcoming negotiations. Climate change is already affecting our health and contributing to the spread of infectious diseases. Extreme weather events will also strain healthcare infrastructure. Urgent mitigation measures, including transitioning to clean energy sources, are necessary to protect human health and create sustainable outcomes. To reduce the negative impact on health, the health community stresses the importance of reducing and stopping emissions. According to WHO, 7 million premature deaths annually are attributed to air pollution.

The world can end AIDS, with communities leading the way. They connect people with person-centered public health services, build trust, innovate, monitor policies and services, and hold providers accountable. This World AIDS Day (1 December) is more than a celebration of community achievements; it is a call to action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles. In the report Let Communities Lead,  reveals that the world can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, but only if communities are fully included and are sufficiently funded to lead the way.

The , a multilateral environmental treaty, addresses the production of mercury. Mining the element will become illegal in Mexico and the rest of the world in 2032. That leaves many miners worried about how they will support their families, even as they deal with the often-direct health risks of their profession. With unemployment over 70 percent, Mexican miners are at a crossroads. In response, the Mexican government has launched a project to help 19 communities in the Sierra Gorda transition to alternative, mercury-free livelihoods. The project is led by the .

: LOVOT – the new companion to overcome loneliness.

It is estimated that there are currently per year worldwide. Each suicide profoundly affects many more people. Suicide prevention is a public health priority and urgent action is required. Marked on 10 September, “Creating Hope Through Action” is the triennial theme for the (2021-2023). There is an alternative to suicide. Through our actions, big or small, we can encourage hope and strengthen prevention. #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

“You see, we're not doing this work to make ourselves feel better. That sort of conventional notion of what a do-gooder is. We're doing this work because we are totally convinced that it's not necessary in today's wealthy world for so many people to be experiencing discomfort, for so many people to be experiencing hardship, for so many people to have their lives and their livelihoods imperiled.”

Dr. David Nabarro has dedicated his life to global health. After a long career that’s taken him from the horrors of war torn Iraq, to the devastating aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, he is still spurred to action by the tremendous inequalities in global access to medical care. “The thing that keeps me awake most at night is the rampant inequities in our world…We see an awful lot of needless suffering.”

A passionate advocate for sustainable development, David Nabarro has seen in his own family how medicine can transform lives. In this episode, he reflects on his lifelong struggle against inequality, the lessons of misfortune, and why communication is always at the heart of healing.

Photo credit: ©4SD Foundation

Opening up about your struggles with someone you trust can help you feel better.  switches it up, it starts with one moment, one conversation, one question: What’s on your mind?