World Health Organization

[Extract] Established in 1948 and based in Geneva, the World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It plays a major role in directing and co-ordinating international health. WHO co-ordinates the surveillance of trends in infectious diseases, such as malaria, hiv/aids, and tuberculosis, and in food and water-borne diseases, including cholera, other diarrhoeal diseases, and hepatitis A. It reports on the occurrence and means of transfer of diseases, associated death rates, effectiveness of disease prevention and treatments, and extent of compliance among travellers with recommended precautions.