» What is a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHOCC)?
What is a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHOCC)?
For the fulfillment of its extensive range of tasks the WHO is supported by a global network of collaborating centers, which constitute an important channel to facilitate the international exchange of information, experience and expertise between countries and WHO regions. Since the WHO relies on national institutions for international purposes, the WHOCCs form a collaborative network in support of WHO at regional, national, international, and global levels. WHOCCs provide services under the following two major aspects:
- support of programs of global interest
- involvement in technical co-operation for national health development
Furthermore, the WHOCC network serves the technical co-operation between the member states of the organization. All over Europe 358 WHOCCs are supporting the work of the WHO. In Germany "‘ amongst 34 other WHOCCs "‘ the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health at the University of Bonn takes on this role.
Surveillance of disease burden: harmonized assessment of water related disease burden and surveillance including GIS-based approaches.
Risk assessment: assessment of environmental exposure and further development of GIS methods for health risk assessment.
Risk management: further development of holistic water management approaches, e.g., Water Safety Plan and incorporation of GIS and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) concept.
Communication of health risks: regular review and compilation of publications, accumulated experiences and recommendations on risk communication concerning the field of environment and health.
Technical guidance documentation: supervision and coordination in the preparation of technical guidelines on selected topics.
Diffusion of information on health risks: production and diffusion of guidance documents, teaching aids and awareness-raising material on health-significant aspects of water management and risk communication.
Training: organization of group training on health promotion, water management and risk communication.