Health Workers: The Heart of Health
The world is facing a shortage of 11 million health workers by 2030.
World Health Worker Week (#WHWWeek) highlights the importance of the health workforce – nurses, pharmacists, epidemiologists, doctors, community health workers, lab technicians, and their colleagues – the heart of global health.
Led by the Frontline Health Workers Coalition, #WHWWeek calls for increased investment in all cadres of the health workforce and advocates for prioritizing human resources for health on the global agenda. It is an opportunity to highlight the crucial role that sustained leadership and long-term investments in the health workforce play in achieving resilient health systems and advancing development goals.
#healthworkerssavelives and foster healthier communities by managing illness, preventing the spread of disease, providing education, among other things. In doing so, health workers also help drive economies – protecting the health of employees, reducing absenteeism and otherwise helping people thrive. Let’s make sure all cadres of health workers are compensated, protected, retained and succeed so that they can continue to help people live healthier, more productive lives.
#WHWWeek Champions
We're grateful for our sponsors, partners, and supporters.
Connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.
To be a sponsor or official partner of World Health Worker Week, contact FHWCoalition@intrahealth.org
To join the Coalition's mailing list, subscribe here.
Join the Campaign
Together, we will fill social media with the images and stories of all cadres of health workers – nurses, community health workers, doctors, pharmacists, epidemiologists, lab technicians, and others – making an impact in communities across the globe.
Use the link below to download “Join Us” graphics for posting to social media or to use as virtual background for meetings in the lead-up to World Health Worker Week.
Be sure to include #WHWWeek and #healthworkerssavelives to contribute to this important dialogue around protecting, valuing, strengthening and investing in all cadres of health workers.
Heart of Health Logo
DIY Graphic Templates
To make your own graphics, download the PowerPoint or Adobe Express files (at the links above), add your photo, message, organization logo, and caption. Then export the slide as a jpeg and post.
The PowerPoint file and Adobe Express files are available in horizontal and vertical formats and in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Be sure to consult our key messaging and add #WHWWeek and #healthworkerssavelives.
Key Messages
- Strengthen the health workforce.
- Investments in health workers deliver returns.
- Protect health workers, protecting our health.
- Value health workers, who facilitate good health and contribute to economic growth.
Download any of these graphics with themed messaging and photos. See examples below of the various kinds of message graphics available to download and ready to post.
Be sure to add #WHWWeek and #healthworkerssavelives to amplify the dialogue.
Sample Social Media Text
Below find sample social media text that aligns with the key messages.
The World Health Organization predicts a shortfall of 11,000,000 health workers by 2030. What does a world without enough health workers look like? We can’t afford to find out. #WHWWeek #healthworkerssavelives
Health workers are our frontline defense, our best weapon in fighting any disease, from pandemics to noncommunicable diseases (#NCDs). #healthworkerssavelives #WHWWeek
A healthier world is a more prosperous world. Health investments produce a 9-fold economic return. Investment in the health workforce isn’t just worthwhile, it's smart policy. #WHWWeek #healthworkerssavelives
Long-term investment is essential to ensure a robust health workforce that can fight the health challenges of today and ensure a healthier future tomorrow. #WHWWeek #healthworkerssavelives
Investment in the health workforce could contribute $12 trillion to global GDP in 2040. It's time to protect, value and invest in health workers- our most valuable health resource. #WHWWeek #healthworkerssavelives
Between 80,000-180,000 health workers lost their lives to COVID-19 in the first year of the pandemic. Let's ensure that the health workforce is protected and ready to respond to the next crisis. #WHWWeek #healthworkerssavelives
Health workers lie at the heart of our global capacity to respond to infectious disease threats and health emergencies. Investment in the protection of the health workforces is an investment in global health security. #WHWWeek #healthworkerssavelives
Health workers helped save 154 million lives over the last 50 years through global immunization programs- the equivalent of 6 lives saved every minute. #WHWWeek #healthworkerssavelives
A stronger workforce means a healthier world. Let's build the future of health, together. #WHWWeek #healthworkerssavelives
Strengthen the health workforce.
By 2030, there will be a shortage of 11 million health workers. Increased investment in the health workforce is not only necessary; it is a wise and worthwhile strategy to strengthen global health and achieve development targets. Well-trained, protected, and fairly compensated health workers lie at the core of health care.
- WHO predicts a global shortage of 11 million health workers by 2030, greatly impacting the global capacity for health resource provision.
- Studies show that for every dollar invested in the health workforce, there is a 9-fold economic return.
- A persistent lack of resources, protections, and support greatly inhibits health workers’ ability to provide sustainable health services.
- Advocacy must be translated into action– namely, policymakers must prioritize greater strategic investment in the global health workforce.
Investments in health workers deliver returns.
New and traditional donors, including philanthropic organizations, foundations, multilaterals, banks, and the private sector need to step up to close the existing gap in health workforce investment. Increased investment in health workers is good for business, the economy, and the advancement of broader development goals.
- To build resilient, sustainable health systems for the future, we must prioritize long-term investment in health workers– providing them with the resources, training and support needed to deliver reliable, high-quality care.
- Approximately 15% of the global real GDP is lost each year due to poor health. Investment in health has long-term economic yields.
- Investment in health workers may increase global life expectancy by up to 3.7 years and could save 60 million lives by 2030.
Protect health workers, who protect our health.
Health workers are the first line of prevention, as well as the principal providers of ongoing health services. The physical and mental health of health workers need to be guarded so that they, in turn, can provide optimal care to their communities.
- A robust health workforce is vital to the achievement of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). Collaborative, cross-sectoral efforts must be made to align global health financing and implementation strategies with the needs of health workers everywhere.
- More than 60% of health workers have experienced some form of violence in their career. This threat, alongside additional obstacles such as unsustainable working conditions and inadequate compensation, leads to poor rates of workforce retention.
Value health workers, who facilitate good health and contribute to economic growth.
Health workers are the heart of global health security, playing a crucial role in preventing and responding to pandemics, as well as addressing HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and maternal and child health challenges.
- Health workers don’t just improve community wellbeing – they are active contributors to global GDP. Healthier communities mean a more robust, productive workforce and lessened absenteeism in schools and employees, thus protecting and supporting global economies.
- Women comprise approximately 70% of health and are responsible for more than 75% of unpaid healthcare labor. All health workers must be fairly compensated, so they are better able to provide for their families. Furthermore, health workers need to be given access to advancement opportunities, such as training and representation in leadership positions.