World Oral Health Day 2024: Promoting Oral Health in South-East Asia
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | World Oral Health Day, 20 March 2024 |
| Organizer | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Focus Region | South-East Asia Region |
| Objective | Promote oral health and reduce the burden of oral diseases |
| Global Burden of Oral Diseases | - 3.5 billion cases globally in 2019 - 50% increase from 1990 to 2019 |
| Impact | - Health systems - Economies - Individual well-being |
| WHO Global Strategy | Adopted at 75th World Health Assembly Targets to be achieved by 2030 |
| Vision | Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for oral health |
| South-East Asia Statistics | - 900 million cases in 2019 - Highest oral cancer incidence and mortality rates |
| Inequalities | Higher prevalence among poor and disadvantaged populations |
| Regional Action Plan | Action Plan for Oral Health in South-East Asia 2022-2030 |
| Key Actions | - Essential oral health services in primary health care - Innovative workforce models - Oral health promotion in schools, workplaces, and communities |
| Capacity Building | - Thailand selected for oral health waste management - Online courses on OpenWHO |
| Risk Factors | Tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, diets high in sugar |
| Interventions | - WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control - Quit Tobacco app - Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages in five countries |
| Call to Action | Leverage guidance to accelerate progress towards UHC for oral health |