Every April 7 since 1950, the World Health Organization (WHO), by way of World Health Day, has been the global leader in health observances and in raising awareness of various health topics. This year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the theme of World Health Day focuses on “building a healthier and fairer world for everyone.”

This theme not only places a spotlight on health inequities that exist globally, but it also seeks to remind everyone, particularly those who most significantly affect health policies that increasing access to resources makes the world safer and generally, yields more productive societies. This means that as a Chiropractic Physician-in-training, I can do my part, right now, to help end health inequities and promote awareness and prevention of chronic diseases. As a 2020-21, Chicago Area Albert Schweitzer Fellow, I have received the opportunity and privilege of doing exactly this by hosting weekly small group webinars, since last May, to a group who represent a historically underserved population in the City of Chicago.

Annually, World Health Day also highlights the Social Determinants of Health (the Determinants) and how these can either promote health and well-being or can be factors that lead to disease. As stress and anxiety tend to be components that significantly influence the Determinants, sharing benefits and research regarding Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy, specifically, in down regulating the Sympathetic Nervous System Response (aka “Fight, Flight or Freeze” Response) and boosting immunity will help support the goals of bringing awareness to various resources that can support health and also support other goals of World Health Day.

What are some things that you can do right now to help build a heathier and fairer world for everyone?

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