PHA-Exchange> WHO LAUNCHES VIRTUAL SCHOOL FOR PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION

[Claudio]

> From: UN News Service <UNNews at UN.Org>
>
> WHO LAUNCHES VIRTUAL SCHOOL FOR PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION

WHO today launched the
 <"http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr92/en/">Health Academy, a
virtual school that aims to promote public health
> around the world by teaching people health information using
Internet-based technology.
>
> In a joint project with Cisco Systems, Inc., WHO has set up two pilot
studies for the Health Academy in Egypt and Jordan, with
> teenage students in 41 schools, during the 2003-04 academic year. If they
are successful, the Health Academy could be expanded
> around the world.
>
> The Health Academy will demystify medical practices and make the knowledge
of health specialists available to everyone, WHO said
> in a statement released in Geneva, adding that the subjects in the Academy
will feature language that all people can understand,
> regardless of their cultural backgrounds.
>
> WHO's Director-General Dr Lee Jong-wook said: "It is more than just
education; it is a means to influence attitudes and behaviour
> towards a healthier lifestyle, which in turn may help reduce gaps between
prosperity and poverty and health and sickness."
>
> WHO's statement said the Academy's curriculum would help students develop
their critical thinking and encourage interactivity,
> thanks to technology provided by Cisco Systems.
>   2003-12-11 00:00:00.000
>
> ________________
>
> For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news