This body was set up in 1948 with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. This body was established for the following reasons:
- To attain the highest possible level of health for all people of the world.
- To direct and coordinate international health work.
- To help eradicate epidemic and endemic diseases
- To improve nutrition, housing, sanitation, recreation, economic and working conditions of member states.
- To improve the standard of teaching and training in the field of health.