The Constitution of World Health Organization was adopted on 22 July 1946 by the International Health Conference, which was convened by the Economic and Social Council and held in New York. WHO came into being on 7 April 1948, when the 26th United Nations member ratified its Constitution. The World Health Assembly is the policy-making body of WHO and meets in annual session. The Executive Board, which meets twice a year, acts as the executive organ of the Assembly. Six regional organizations have been established as integral parts of the Organization, each consisting of a regional committee and a regional office.
Regional committees meet in annual sessions.
The Secretariat consists of a Director-General, six Regional Directors, and such technical and administrative staff as is required. The objective of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health . Health, as defined in the WHO Constitution, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. WHO also proposes conventions, agreements, regulations and makes recommendations about international nomenclature of diseases, causes of death and public health practices. It develops, establishes and promotes international standards concerning foods and biological, pharmaceutical and similar substances.