World Family Doctor Day | 19 May 2024

World Family Doctor Day (WFDD), on Sunday 19 May, is a significant occasion to highlight the intrinsic connection between the health of our planet and the wellbeing of our patients, emphasising the critical role primary healthcare can play in promoting sustainable health practices.

Since its declaration by WONCA in 2010, WFDD has become an annual celebration that recognises the central role of family doctors in delivering personal, comprehensive, and continuous health care to patients. On 19 May, we honour and appreciate the tireless efforts of family doctors and primary care teams in improving healthcare outcomes and creating healthier communities worldwide. This year’s theme is 'Healthy planet, healthy people'.

The theme 'Healthy planet, healthy people' is a call to action for family doctors, healthcare professionals, and communities worldwide to recognise and respond to the health challenges posed by climate change.

The announcement of the theme follows an open letter signed by WONCA and other organizations representing over 3 million health professionals in September 2023, which called on world leaders to take urgent action to safeguard the health of global populations from the climate crisis, emphasising the need to halt new fossil fuel projects and invest in renewable energy.

WONCA invites its members and the wider healthcare community to rally behind this theme. WONCA aim to highlight the personal experiences of family doctors who have observed the health impacts of climate change firsthand.