East Germany (1972) Logo of World Health Organization (WHO). See more WHO logo stamps here
In the following section, I have listed year wise themes. Each theme is illustrated by one postage stamp. While the stamp does not always match the year, but attempts to depict the theme. Some of these are World Health Day postage stamps, and a few others are issued closer to the year.
Watch out for this space, as I add details for the stamps, and link these to health-stamp blogs with more details on the theme.
For now, as we scroll down, we will also see generations of slogans, and stamps from across the continents……
Poland (1953). Nursing profession had evolved, and we started projecting nurses in an independent role. See evolution of nursing here
1955
Clean water means better Health
Zambia (1970). Access to clean water in this postage stamp, fifteen years younger than 1955 WHD. Water and Sanitation was long identified as a key preventive health measure.
Argentina (1962). After four years, malaria was again a WHD theme. WHO conceived a global malaria postal stamp plan the same year, and executed it two years later.
Norway (1969). Road traffic accidents were on a rise. It was in 1968 that countries across the world agreed on unified road traffic signs. More on this here.
Cambodia (1963) with a first day cancellation. This was the second WHD theme on food and nutrition. A previously launched FFH campaign was at its crescendo. This was beginning of the green revolution in many countries
UAR (1965). World health organisation launched its Small Pox eradication program in 1966. This is the only successful eradication till date. See the journey in stamps here..
1966
Man and his Cities
Germany (1987). This was the first environment centric WHD theme. Here the focus was on urban environment.
Czechoslovakia (1966). A year before WHO inaugurated its new HQ building in Geneva. The organisation was partnering for health with many countries that had just gained their independence.
Czechoslovakia (1965). It may be the first stamp that depicted a double helix DNA. About forty years we would decipher the entire human genome. This discovery was not actually imagined in 1968. An insight into our governing molecules here
1969
Health, Labor and Productivity
Austria (1968) stamp on the right is on occupational health theme. Similar human figure was used in a cancer postage stamp from Algeria in 1958.
A set of four stamps from Canada (1974). Family members are giving each other company, and health begins at home. See some family theme postage stamps here.
1974
Better food for a healthier World
Senegal (1979). This postage stamp is on water pollution, affecting fisheries and thus health. This was third Food theme for WHD.
India (1976). This year World General Assembly announced the year 1981 as International year for the disabled. We were bringing out disability from a closet…
Zambia (1970). Immunization was the key to prevention. Small pox eradication was its example. We had embarked on an Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) with a goal to eradicate polio..
USSR (1979) This also was an international year of the child (IYC). Child rights movement and its philately became global this year. See IYC stamps in this blog.
Kenya (1988). WHO turned forty. We embarked on an ambitious universal health slogan this year. This first Universal health WHD, would have repeat runs again, and again. The year 2000 goal is now revised to 2030 !!
1982
Add life to years
Sweden (1980). Caring for the elderly was even more important, with declining death rates, and growing populations at extremes of age.
1983
Health for All by year 2000 AD: Count down has begun
Dominica (1973). All includes all age-groups, all social groups and the most disadvantaged. While this stamp is ten years older than the theme, spirit of all could not be better.
Laos (1984). Child health was on the global agenda, and child-survival was the new buzz word. Polio campaign in this postage stamp from the same year. More child survival stamps here
1985
Healthy Youth- Our best Resource
Papua New Guinea (2010) postage stamp depicts youth. 1985 was also the world youth year, but this much later issue (on census in the country) really counts them in.
Australia (1990). We were away from disease centric WHD to now concepts of health. Healthy living. This is from a set of four from Australia, and more on this theme here..
Niger (1986). A mother, her child holding a vaccination card. This was second WHD on immunisation, after a decade. More immunisation stamps here..
1988
Health for All: All for Health
Britain (1998). A third universal health theme WHD. This postage stamp on 50 years of NHS is ten year younger. However, NHS in UK remains a lead example of universal public health concept in the world today.
1989
Let’s talk Health
Algeria (1988). Health communication was a theme this year. The above stamp issued a year ago on 40 years of WHO depicts a happy family. Hopefully health is one of their conversations !!!
1990
Our Planet our Earth: Think Globally Act Locally
Luxembourg (2022). Green and healthy planet will be another health agenda for many WHDs to come. This quite recent stamp nicely depicts our desire to turn a new leaf…
Australia (1997) Disaster management needs planning and a good pre-hospital care. Disaster preparedness is now part of national and international cooperation. See postage stamps on pre-hospital care here..
Marshall islands (2005) Polio eradication stamp. Rotary started spearheading the polio eradication drive in many countries. In 1995 goal was to have it as a second globally eradicated disease. Unfortunately we are still not there as yet…
1996
Healthy cities for better Life
United Nations (1993). A second healthy city theme WHD. Environment is a growing concern.
1997
Emerging Infectious diseases: Global response Global Alert
Special cover India (2006). In 1997 Bird flu was a threat, and hence the theme. Later Ebola came in 2002, H1N1 would in 2006, and Covid pandemic in 2019. Some covid philately here…
Surinam (1998). Motherhood was the theme on 50 years of WHO. This special, celebrated moment was to become more safe. See safe motherhood postal issues here..
1999
Active ageing makes the difference
Germany (1999). This was a second WHD ageing theme. See an older and a younger hand on the international year for seniors.
Uruguay (2001). HIV care was improving, and many social concepts were challenged. The above postage stamp from Uruguay nicely depicts victory of condoms (prevention) over taboos (religion). See more HIV symbolism here…
2002
Move for Health
Spain (1979). Physical activity for health. Above set of three postage stamps and it first day cancellation is apt for the theme
2003
Healthy Environment for Children
Singapore (2017) postage stamp has green areas, children and their family members. Healthy surroundings are now a recurring theme.
India (2012). Public Investment in health is a growing need, and state sponsored insurances are an important part. Above postage stamp depicts a family with an employee insurance cared in India
2008
Protecting health from climate change
Norway (2009). Climate change, Global warming Ozone layer, and melting of polar icecaps was on teh health agenda this year. A postage stamp set and its miniature sheet from Norway in this agenda
2009
Save lives! Make hospitals safe in emergencies
Bermuda (1994) Emergency room scene on a postage stamp. Hospital based emergency care was 2009 theme.
2010
1000 cities – 1000 lives
Bhutan (2010). This WHD theme first day cover from a least urban country of Bhutan. Incidentally Bhutan ranks high in happiness index…does it have to do with fewer cities ?
2011
Antimicrobial resistance and its global spread
Pitcarin Islands (1968). A et of two stamps above shows bugs and drugs. In 1968 we might not have predicted that by 2011 drugs will fail. Today we are in middle of global antimicrobial resistance. Bugs are more and more resistant and our drugs are failing !!
2012
Good health adds life to years – Ageing & Health
Israel (2005). Third Ageing related WHD theme. Note how similar depiction of ageing is to a previous Sweden issue from 1980.
2013
High Blood Pressure- Hypertension
United Nations (1990). Hypertension rates are now alarming. This is fourth cardiovascular WHD theme. The above image shows blood pressure being measured, hopefully nearer home.
2014
Small bite, big threat
Niuafoou (1987) postage stamp on health messaging. After malaria, world was witness to dengue and Chikangunya epidemics.
2015
Food Safety- From Farm To Plate ,Make Food Safe
Papua New Guinea (1982) From food availability in the yesteryears, we are now to food safety. Another recurring theme from the past.
Moldova (2020). This is COVID year, and 200-birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. This is second nursing theme WHD, and an ode to Florence.
2021
Building a Fairer, Healthier World
Gibraltar (2016). Environment and Health
2022
Our Planet, Our Health
Algeria (2023). Healthy planet on a postage stamp
2023
Health for All
Japan (2015). Health for all postage stamp, and Japanese collaborations are touching lives globally.
2024
My health my right
Britain (2000). Right to health in this millennial postage stamp shows sanitation movement as a key to health.
15 comments
Sir nicely written blog… giving deep insight for each and every burning issue of health…from oral health to Emergency 👏👏👏
Very informative blog on World health day👍
Very informative
Very nicely and meticulous collection of stamps around the world progressive issues on health and it’s impact on society with changing time ! Excellent efforts Dr Joshi informative and knowable for everyone!!
Good information
Informative and very nice collection 👌
Very informative and depictive . 2000 was the year of safe blood. The year we started this blood bank in Bhopal. Amazing to see all the stamps
Nice Article sir
Excellent..
Sir Super great wonderful excellent information about World Health Day passed day’s stamp collection is greatly appreciated effort no one else could have succeeded but sir you win the goal with all success salute to your efforts thanks for the sharing the valuable information 🙏🏻💐👌🏻💐💐💐💐💐💐💐
The wealth of insights shared on World Health Day is truly remarkable. Your dedication to providing such comprehensive information is inspiring Sir. Thank you for curating this extensive blog post, which not only explores the evolution of World Health Day but also showcases your impressive collection of rare stamps.
This is so well-written that it just makes me want to keep reading, always shaping our knowledge and enriching us with valuable information 🙏🙏
Good information sir
Very well compiled and nicely put!!
It is nice to see journey through the past. Very informative. Still we could not achieved health for all. Hope we will achieve it soon.
Sir nicely written blog… giving deep insight for each and every burning issue of health…from oral health to Emergency 👏👏👏
Very informative blog on World health day👍
Very informative
Very nicely and meticulous collection of stamps around the world progressive issues on health and it’s impact on society with changing time ! Excellent efforts Dr Joshi informative and knowable for everyone!!
Good information
Informative and very nice collection 👌
Very informative and depictive . 2000 was the year of safe blood. The year we started this blood bank in Bhopal. Amazing to see all the stamps
Nice Article sir
Excellent..
Sir Super great wonderful excellent information about World Health Day passed day’s stamp collection is greatly appreciated effort no one else could have succeeded but sir you win the goal with all success salute to your efforts thanks for the sharing the valuable information 🙏🏻💐👌🏻💐💐💐💐💐💐💐
The wealth of insights shared on World Health Day is truly remarkable. Your dedication to providing such comprehensive information is inspiring Sir. Thank you for curating this extensive blog post, which not only explores the evolution of World Health Day but also showcases your impressive collection of rare stamps.
This is so well-written that it just makes me want to keep reading, always shaping our knowledge and enriching us with valuable information 🙏🙏
Good information sir
Very well compiled and nicely put!!
It is nice to see journey through the past. Very informative. Still we could not achieved health for all. Hope we will achieve it soon.