Frequent Questions

Font Size Reduce Text Size Enlarge Text Size     Print Print     Download Reader PDF

This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wedesday, May 15, 2002 		Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

SECRETARY THOMPSON ANNOUNCES U.S. APPOINTMENT TO
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION EXECUTIVE BOARD

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced that the United States has been elected to a three-year position on the executive board of the World Health Organization (WHO). The announcement comes during the week of the 55th World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, May 13-18.

Under the leadership of Secretary Thompson, the United States returns to the executive board following a one-year procedural absence. The board is composed of 32 members and oversees strategic planning, policy development and implementation of the World Health Assembly, the main decision-making body of the WHO.

"The mission of the World Health Organization is absolutely vital for promoting and improving the health status of communities worldwide -- particularly within vulnerable populations," said Secretary Thompson. "We are pleased to be working with our international partners on these efforts and look forward to advancing the health of the global community."

The United States will be one of six representatives from the region of the Americas. Other regions represented are Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific. A listing of specific member countries can be viewed atwww.who.int/executive_board/members/index.en.html.

Meetings of the board are usually held twice a year in January and May. The second meeting for 2002 will take place immediately following the Assembly.

###

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.

horizontal line

HHS Home | Questions? | Contacting HHS | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | FOIA | Disclaimers | The White House | USA.gov | Helping America's Youth

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. - Washington, D.C. 20201