World Pneumonia Day is held on November 12 every year, its goal is to raise awareness among the public about the need to combine in the battle against this disease and press for action. The leading infectious disease that kills adults and children worldwide is pneumonia. On average, it alone kills more children than the combined mortality rate caused by measles, malaria, and AIDS. The insufficiency of oxygen in the lungs highlights the significance of oxygen to our bodies and underscores the global importance of lung health. We are excited to unite on this World Pneumonia Day to discuss the importance of oxygen to human health and possible strategies to combat the disease. World Pneumonia Day is especially important as respiratory conditions are so common right now.
Pneumonia is a serious infection that affects both adults and children. Although pneumonia can strike anybody, adults 65 years of age or older and children 2 years of age or less are more at risk. Use World Pneumonia Day to educate others about the illness and raise awareness of it by learning about its causes, symptoms, treatments, and much more. Dr. Virendra Singh unwavering commitment to raising awareness about pneumonia and its devastating impact on global health has been truly inspiring.
The Theme of World Pneumonia Day 2023
Championing the fight to stop pneumonia will be the subject of World Pneumonia Day 2023.
World Pneumonia Day 2023 Overview
- Event: World Pneumonia Day
- Date: November 12, 2023
- Day: Sunday
- Declared by: Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia
- Observed by: Worldwide
- Purpose of Celebration: To raise awareness about pneumonia, and promote interventions to protect against, prevent, and treat pneumonia.
Significance of World Pneumonia Day
Even though pneumonia is one of the most curable illnesses in the world, the infection claims the life of a kid every 20 seconds. It is time to combine forces in the battle against the illness by increasing public awareness of pneumonia, its signs, and its remedies. On World Pneumonia Day, we raise awareness of the seriousness of pneumonia as a potentially fatal illness that can strike at any time or place and should not be taken lightly. Additionally, it provides a chance for groups, organizations, and people to collaborate and plan awareness-raising activities. November holds special significance as World Pneumonia Day, which is observed globally.
History Of World Pneumonia Day Observation
First World Pneumonia Day was observed in 2009 by the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia. Their goals were to raise public awareness of the severity of pneumonia and to work together to draw attention to this often ignored illness on a worldwide scale. “Healthy Lungs for Everyone” was the overarching theme of the day, which has been followed since the inaugural World Pneumonia Day in 2009. The motto was expanded to emphasize the importance of running campaigns, adding the words “enough protection against the disease” and making treatment centers accessible to people suffering from the disease.
The first World Pneumonia Day was observed this year, killing approximately 1.2 million children each year. An Integrated Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhea was introduced by WHO and UNICEF in 2013—four years after this day was first observed on a worldwide and international level. The first public-private partnership to assist governments in implementing the Global Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhea (G.A.P.P.D.) was created under the motto “Every Breath Counts” throughout the course of the following four years in an attempt to establish as much control over the diseases as possible.
Other than this, several other initiatives have also been taken at various levels to counter the attacks made by pneumonia, which still acts as the major infectious killer of adults and children.
World Pneumonia Day Timeline
- Later 1800s and early 1900s (the winter flu): As the most common infectious disease-related cause of death overall, pneumonia ranks third in terms of cause of death.
- 1913 (first novel treatment of pneumonia): The first treatment of pneumonia was introduced, which reduced the mortality rate from 25% to 7.5%.
- 1930 (treatment of Winston Churchill’s bacterial Pneumonia): Winston Churchill contracts bacterial pneumonia, which is treated with the invention of the first antibacterial agent, sulfapyridine.
- 1977 (the first vaccine for bacterial pneumonia): The second vaccination, which was introduced in 2000 and protects the majority of illness types, was made possible despite the fact that the first immunization could only prevent a small number of the disease’s causes.
How to Celebrate World Pneumonia Day 2023
On World Pneumonia Day, the Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia hosts a number of activities, including seminars and training sessions. The organization is made up of more than 140 foundations, governmental organizations, and NGOs. To raise awareness of the day, interested parties are welcome to take part in these events and activities. You can also join medical organizations or local health bodies and participate in their campaigns and spread awareness about the disease. Additionally, you might volunteer your time or money to a hospital that strives to improve the quality of life for pneumonia patients.
- Talk About Pneumonia: Tie a pearl ribbon around your shirt and tell people what it means when they inquire. Discuss this illness with the people in your social circle; you never know who could be in need of assistance that you could offer. Discuss this illness with those in your social circle; you never know who might be in need of your assistance.
- Participate in Awareness Campaigns: Join your local medical associations or healthcare organizations and take part in their efforts to raise awareness of the impact of this disease and the need for increased preventive measures.
- Help Those Who Have Pneumonia: Support a Pneumonia patient with an anonymous donation. Donate some cash to the hospital or clinic in your community that treats patients with the illness. Encourage others to do the same. Help save a life.
5 Facts About World Pneumonia Day
- There is not just one cause of pneumonia: Doctors and scientists have said that pneumonia can be caused by fungi or bacteria, or both simultaneously- It can be brought on by inhaling dust, food particles, or any other airborne pollutant that has the potential to harm a person’s health.
- Breastfeeding helps in fighting against it: Dr. Virendra Singh says that children who regularly fed on their mother’s milk had greater immunity, and so even if they contracted pneumonia had a greater chance of fighting the disease and recovering from it.
- In 2017, 15% of children died of pneumonia: This represents 15% of all pediatric mortality under five years old, or about 808,694 deaths due to the disease.
- Pneumonia has more than 30 different causes: Diagnosing the cause of pneumonia is crucial for the effectiveness of treatment, as it can be caused by either bacteria or fungi, or possibly both.
- Lung health seriously compromised: The total number of pneumonia cases worldwide has increased by 75% in recent years.
FAQs
Why is World Pneumonia Day on 12 November?
The aim of World Pneumonia Day, which is observed on November 12 every year, is to promote international action to guard against, assist in preventing, and successfully treat this fatal condition.
What is the global location of the highest incidence of pneumonia?
Many countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America battle pneumonia.
What are the 4 stages of pneumonia?
There are four phases to a pneumonia episode: congestion, red, gray, and resolution hepatization. The initial congestion stage is characterized by chest pain, wet cough, and fever.
What are the 5 symptoms of pneumonia?
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue
- Rapid, shallow breathing
How is pneumonia spread?
Certain strains of pneumonia are transmissible, meaning they can infect many people. Pneumonia is mostly spread when an individual sneezes or talks, infected cough, sending respiratory droplets into the air.
