Editing World Health Organization (section)

===Data handling and publications===
The World Health Organization works to provide the needed health and well-being evidence through a variety of data collection platforms, including the World Health Survey covering almost 400,000 respondents from 70 countries,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/en/ |title=WHO World Health Survey |publisher=WHO |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=9 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122010628/http://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/en/ |archive-date=22 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the ''[[Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health|Study on Global Aging and Adult Health]]'' (SAGE) covering over 50,000 persons over 50 years old in 23 countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/healthinfo/systems/sage/en/index.html |title=WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) |publisher=WHO |date=10 March 2011 |access-date=9 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117021343/http://www.who.int/healthinfo/systems/sage/en/index.html |archive-date=17 January 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Country Health Intelligence Portal (CHIP), has also been developed to provide an access point to information about the health services that are available in different countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Country Health Policy Process|url=http://www.healthintelligenceportal.org/|access-date=4 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121222652/http://www.healthintelligenceportal.org/|archive-date=21 January 2012}}</ref> The information gathered in this portal is used by the countries to set priorities for future strategies or plans, implement, monitor, and evaluate it.

The WHO has published various tools for measuring and monitoring the capacity of national [[health system]]s<ref>{{cite web |title=Monitoring the building blocks of health systems: a handbook of indicators and their measurement strategies |publisher=WHO |year=2010 |url=https://www.who.int/healthinfo/systems/monitoring/en/index.htm |access-date=27 March 2012}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and [[Health Human Resources|health workforces]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Handbook on monitoring and evaluation of human resources for health |publisher=WHO |year=2009 |url=https://www.who.int/hrh/resources/handbook/en/index.html |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418044842/http://www.who.int/hrh/resources/handbook/en/index.html |archive-date=18 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Global Health Observatory (GHO) has been the WHO's main portal which provides access to data and analyses for key health themes by monitoring health situations around the globe.<ref>{{cite web|title=Global Health Observatory|url=https://www.who.int/gho/en/index.html|access-date=4 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529070904/http://www.who.int/gho/en/index.html|archive-date=29 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''WHO Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems'' (WHO-AIMS), the ''WHO Quality of Life Instrument'' (WHOQOL), and the ''Service Availability and Readiness Assessment'' (SARA) provide guidance for data collection.<ref>See respectively:
* {{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/WHO-AIMS/en/index.html |title=Mental Health: WHO-AIMS |publisher=WHO |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122024140/http://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/WHO-AIMS/en/index.html |archive-date=22 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/76.pdf |title=WHOQOL-BREF: Introduction, Administration, Scoring and Generic Version of the Assessment |year=1996 |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617072652/http://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/76.pdf |archive-date=17 June 2012 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/healthinfo/systems/sara_introduction/en/ |title=Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) |publisher=WHO |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617070828/http://www.who.int/healthinfo/systems/sara_introduction/en/ |archive-date=17 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Collaborative efforts between WHO and other agencies, such as through the [[Health Metrics Network]], also aim to provide sufficient high-quality information to assist governmental decision making.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/healthmetrics/about/whatishmn/en/index.html |title=What is HMN? |website=Health Metrics Network |publisher=WHO |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617053223/http://www.who.int/healthmetrics/about/whatishmn/en/index.html |archive-date=17 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> WHO promotes the development of capacities in member states to use and produce research that addresses their national needs, including through the [[Evidence-Informed Policy Network]] (EVIPNet).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/rpc/evipnet/en/ |title=Evidence-Informed Policy Network |publisher=WHO |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118100358/http://www.who.int/rpc/evipnet/en/ |archive-date=18 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Pan American Health Organization]] (PAHO/AMRO) became the first region to develop and pass a policy on research for health approved in September 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1414&Itemid=931 |title=Policy on Research for Health |publisher=Pan American Health Organization |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509084814/http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1414&Itemid=931 |archive-date=9 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 10 December 2013, a new WHO database, known as MiNDbank, went online. The database was launched on [[Human Rights Day]], and is part of WHO's QualityRights initiative, which aims to end human rights violations against people with mental health conditions. The new database presents a great deal of information about mental health, substance abuse, disability, human rights, and the different policies, strategies, laws, and service standards being implemented in different countries.<ref name="MiNDbank">{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2013/mindbank-20131210/en/ |title=Mental health information at your fingertips – WHO launches the MiNDbank |publisher=Who.int |date=10 December 2013 |access-date=29 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414081539/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2013/mindbank-20131210/en/ |archive-date=14 April 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It also contains important international documents and information. The database allows visitors to access the health information of WHO member states and other partners. Users can review policies, laws, and strategies and search for the best practices and success stories in the field of mental health.<ref name="MiNDbank" />

The WHO regularly publishes a ''[[World Health Report]]'', its leading publication, including an expert assessment of a specific [[global health]] topic.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=WHO |url=https://www.who.int/whr/en/index.html |title=The World Health Report |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411093728/http://www.who.int/whr/en/index.html |archive-date=11 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other publications of WHO include the ''[[Bulletin of the World Health Organization]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/bulletin/en/ |title=Bulletin of the World Health Organization |publisher=WHO |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330163743/http://www.who.int/bulletin/en/ |archive-date=30 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> the ''[[Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal]]'' (overseen by EMRO),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emro.who.int/emhj.htm |title=Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal |publisher=WHO |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413182136/http://www.emro.who.int/emhj.htm |archive-date=13 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> the ''[[Human Resources for Health]]'' (published in collaboration with [[BioMed Central]]),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.human-resources-health.com/ |title=Human Resources for Health |publisher=BioMed Central |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331145138/http://www.human-resources-health.com/ |archive-date=31 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the ''[[Pan American Journal of Public Health]]'' (overseen by PAHO/AMRO).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://new.paho.org/journal/ |title=Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública |publisher=Pan American Health Organization |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326174712/http://new.paho.org/journal/ |archive-date=26 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, the World Health Organization drafted a global health sector strategy on HIV. In the draft, the World Health Organization outlines its commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 with interim targets for the year 2020. To make achievements towards these targets, the draft lists actions that countries and the WHO can take, such as a commitment to universal health coverage, medical accessibility, prevention and eradication of disease, and efforts to educate the public. Some notable points made in the draft include tailoring resources to mobilized regions where the health system may be compromised due to natural disasters, etc. Among the points made, it seems clear that although the prevalence of HIV transmission is declining, there is still a need for resources, health education, and global efforts to end this epidemic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.who.int/hiv/strategy2016-2021/ghss-hiv/en/|title=Global health sector strategy on HIV, 2016–2021|website=World Health Organization|access-date=19 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918103307/http://www.who.int/hiv/strategy2016-2021/ghss-hiv/en/|archive-date=18 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The WHO has a Framework Convention on Tobacco implementation database which is one of the few mechanisms to help enforce compliance with the FCTC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apps.who.int/fctc/reporting/database |title=database |website=WHO |access-date=13 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220023429/http://apps.who.int/fctc/reporting/database/ |archive-date=20 February 2011 }}</ref> However, there have been reports of numerous discrepancies between it and national implementation reports on which it was built. As researchers Hoffman and Rizvi report "As of July 4, 2012, 361 (32·7%) of 1104 countries' responses were misreported: 33 (3·0%) were clear errors (e.g., database indicated 'yes' when report indicated 'no'), 270 (24·5%) were missing despite countries having submitted responses, and 58 (5·3%) were, in our opinion, misinterpreted by WHO staff".<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Hoffman S.J. |author2=Rizvi Z. | year = 2012 | title = WHO's Undermining Tobacco Control | journal = The Lancet | volume = 380 | issue = 9843| pages = 727–728 | doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61402-0 | pmid=22920746|s2cid=46405729 }}</ref>

WHO has been moving toward acceptance and integration of [[traditional medicine]] and [[traditional Chinese medicine]] (TCM). In 2022, the new [[International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems]], ICD-11, will attempt to enable classifications from traditional medicine to be integrated with classifications from [[evidence-based medicine]]. Though Chinese authorities have pushed for the change, this and other support of the WHO for traditional medicine has been criticized by the medical and scientific community, due to lack of evidence and the risk of endangering wildlife hunted for traditional remedies.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Renckens |first1=Cees N.M. |last2=Dorlo |first2=Thomas P.C. |author-link1=Cees Renckens |date=September–October 2019 |title=Quackery at WHO: A Chinese Affair |url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/2019/09/quackery-at-who-a-chinese-affair/ |magazine=[[Skeptical Inquirer]] |publisher=[[Center for Inquiry]] |volume=43 |issue=5 |pages=39–43 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200301162812/https://skepticalinquirer.org/2019/09/cnn-reporters-awarded-balles-critical-thinking-prize-for-a-deal-with-the-devil/ |archive-date=1 March 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hunt">{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Katie |title=Chinese medicine gains WHO acceptance but it has many critics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/24/health/traditional-chinese-medicine-who-controversy-intl/index.html |access-date=15 April 2020 |work=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414213628/https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/24/health/traditional-chinese-medicine-who-controversy-intl/index.html |archive-date=14 April 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The World Health Organization's decision about traditional Chinese medicine could backfire |journal=Nature |date=5 June 2019 |volume=570 |issue=7759 |pages=5 |language=en |doi=10.1038/d41586-019-01726-1 |pmid=31165792 |bibcode=2019Natur.570Q...5. |s2cid=174809790 |doi-access=free }}</ref> A WHO spokesman said that the inclusion was "not an endorsement of the scientific validity of any Traditional Medicine practice or the efficacy of any Traditional Medicine intervention."<ref name="Hunt" />

==== International Agency for Research on Cancer ====
{{Further|International Agency for Research on Cancer}}
The WHO sub-department, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), conducts and coordinates research into the causes of [[cancer]].<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Colditz |editor-first=Graham A. |title=The SAGE Encyclopedia of Cancer and Society (International Agency for Research on Cancer) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mXxZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT1323 |year=2015 |publisher=[[SAGE Publications]] |isbn=978-1-5063-0126-6 |pages=1323– |access-date=20 December 2020 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116142846/https://books.google.com/books?id=mXxZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT1323#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> It also [[Cancer registry|collects]] and publishes [[Disease surveillance|surveillance]] data regarding the occurrence of cancer worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www-dep.iarc.fr/ |title=CANCERMondial |website=www-dep.iarc.fr |access-date=20 December 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217163455/http://www-dep.iarc.fr/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Its [[Monograph]]s Programme identifies carcinogenic [[hazard]]s and evaluates environmental [[Carcinogen|causes of cancer]] in humans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://monographs.iarc.fr/ |title=IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans |website=monographs.iarc.fr |access-date=20 December 2020 |archive-date=11 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211213546/http://monographs.iarc.fr/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Caballero |editor-first=Benjamin |title=Encyclopedia of Food and Health |date=2015 |publisher=Elsevier Science |isbn=978-0-12-384953-3 |page=658}}</ref>