Historical Dictionary of the World Health Organization (International Organizations) [Hardcover]

...well-presented and produced...North American reference librarians will certainly waste no time in adding these two volumes to their collections...Academic collections, supporting courses in US history, politics, and social studies, will not hesitate to accession them. Reference Reviews Thoroughly researched entries...International documents collections and medical libraries where international health and health policy are important will want to add this resource to their collections. Arba ...an excellent resource for an overview of WHO...recommended for any library that needs a quick reference about WHO. E-Streams This is the only WHO reference text of its kind, and it provides a good starting point for anyone seeking general information about the organization or wanting to know where to find more specific information. Health Sciences Supplement Recommended for libraries with strong programs in this area...a starting point for further research. Choice

The World Health Organization encourages global cooperation in the effort to improve the health and welfare of human beings. Though there remains a consensus among world health professionals about the expertise and necessity of the World Health Organization, like many other international organizations, the WHO faces criticism and budget limitations. Still, historically significant campaigns such as the eradication of smallpox and the current controversy surrounding the WHO's involvement in AIDS education and prevention have increased the importance of detailed information concerning the organization. Compiled with the assistance of past and present WHO staff, medical historians, and health professionals, this work brings together a broad range of data on the World Health Organization. The dictionary covers the key offices, programs, events, and individuals of the WHO from its creation to present calls for reform. An introduction provides a brief history of WHO as the world's first truly global health organization. A chronology of key events, a comprehensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources, and extensive appendixes of basic documents and organizational structures further complement the work.

Kelley Lee (D.Phil., University of Sussex) is Lecturer in International Health Policy at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has published extensively on international relations and health-related issues.