Together for Science: World Health Day 2026

By James Ridley 

World Health Day is designed as a way of celebrating the opening of the World Health Organisation and the work it has done and continues to do in support of health and wellbeing around the world. It’s founding definition (WHO 1948) identified that, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. The importance of this holistic message has been recognised for many years where public health approaches and programmes have sought to work in collaboration to improve overall health. This holistic approach looks beyond purely the assumption of health being related to physical wellbeing but encompasses the need to support a healthy life by recognising the importance of both mental and social wellbeing. Thinking holistically, and looking widely at the experiences of the individual is a core component of not just supporting someone to remain in good health, but also enables those around to consider what support for individuals may need to look like or be contributed to when their experiences create personal conflict or distress.   

The theme for this year’s world health day is “Together for health, stand with science”. The emphasis is working for a one health approach that recognises the connectiveness of all including humans, animals and the environment. Reference is made to the ways in which that connection supports recognition of the interplay of these three things and the influence that they have on health and wellbeing. Using science in ways which can support improved health and wellbeing for all and reducing the inequalities that some can experience. They have highlighted that the objectives of world health day in 2026 are linked to equitable health access and outcomes related to preventive care, mental health and the wider more universal coverage of systems and supports that enable equitable health and wellbeing.  

PRICE Training has a long held belief and core principle that aligns with understanding and awareness of the needs of the populations that we are asked to support. This we do in partnership with organisations who are seeking to ensure that they are working with and for the person, being person centred and person led. To be able to do this requires a sense of “Togetherness”, we work alongside, not in front or behind, but alongside. The science of care requires us to work in collaboration. We cannot see through the eyes of another therefore we need to seek opportunities to bring together all of our vision and create an approach that brings us together to ensure that a person’s individuality and rights are respected and ensure equity.  

Working with people who may experience periods of distress requires us to understand how, what, when and why. This is significantly important when considering approaches related to support for someone who has experienced trauma. We recognise the need to use the science of knowing and no more so than when working with those who have experienced trauma. Knowing how to recognise and respond to trauma needs a holistic view as a person’s trauma may be experienced every day or resurface unexpectedly for them and for us as supporters. However, having systems of support that enable responses and interventions that enable the person to live their everyday (primary), or recognise when things are changing and disrupting this (secondary) or when they become overwhelming (tertiary) is a critical part of being trauma informed and aware. At PRICE Training we believe in the process of “Togetherness” that supports our principles of rights based and person centred/led approaches, and this is led by the science of behavioural understanding, and trauma informed practice.  

Today we celebrate the notion of equality, we are committed to working with all those who access PRICE Training to be respected as individuals, to be supported by systems that ensure “Togetherness” and are influenced by the standing with the “Science” of humanity and care.  

Published 7 April 2026