Writing Effectively at The World Health Organization

Practice: Human factor

Many reports can be enhanced with human interest stories. Consider the three reports described here. Could they be enhanced by the inclusion of a human interest component? Once you’ve considered each one, click to see our comments.

Example 1:
Active aging: Towards age-friendly primary health care

This lengthy report introduces the significance of age-friendly primary healthcare for elders worldwide, and discusses major issues for the provision of services. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2004/9241592184.pdf

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Example 2:
20 ways the World Health Organization helps countries reach the Millennium Development Goals

This four-page, point-form document identifies broad actions WHO has taken to help achieve the MDGs. For example, “… increase access to safe, effective, quality medicine and diagnostics.” http://www.who.int/topics/millennium_development_goals/20ways_mdgs_20100517_en.pdf

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Example 3:
World report on child injury prevention

This joint UNICEF/WHO report provides an overview of child injuries worldwide, and contains one chapter on each of several major causes of injury. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2008/9789241563574_eng.pdf

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