World Voice Day (WVD) is annually observed across the globe on April 16 to celebrate the phenomenon of voice and raise awareness about the importance of voice. The day also raises awareness of issues affecting the health of the voice.
- World Voice Day 2023 was observed on 16th April 2023 under the theme/motto “Your Voice Matters”.
The theme for WVD was chosen by members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Voice Committee.
Background:
i. World Voice Day was initiated by the Brazilian Society of Laryngology and Voice in 1999, and the first World Voice Day was observed as Brazilian Voice Day on 16th April 1999.
- The day was later recognised as a global awareness day after the members of the Academy’s Speech, Voice, and Swallowing Disorders Committee
ii. In 2002, Professor Mario Andre, a Portuguese laryngologist and the president of the European Laryngological Society, proposed the idea of celebrating the day as a global event.
Note: Since the day’s inception in 2002, the AAO-HNS has sponsored the World Voice Day celebration in the United States of America (USA).
Objectives:
- To raise awareness about voice-related occupations and the subsequent impact of voice disorders.
- To highlight the role of otolaryngology in the diagnosis and treatment of voice disorders.
- To raise awareness about risk factors for laryngeal cancer.
Your Voice Matters: World Voice Day Past and Present
i. The theme “Your Voice Matters” has relevance as AAO-HNS balance the demands of everyday social and professional interactions with the health of the voice.
ii. The campaign Your Voice Matters urges people to prioritize voice care in recognition of the significant role that voice plays in each individual’s identity and emotional expression.
iii. The AAO-HNS Voice Committee developed a patient-focused question-and-answer (Q&A) video, answering common questions about seeing an otolaryngologist/laryngologist for voice symptoms as well as vocal care, conditions, and treatments.
iv. Additionally, the AAO-HNS has developed several materials that its members can use to spread the word about World Voice Day, vocal hygiene, and both to their patients and local communities.
About the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS):
President- Kathleen L. Yaremchuk
Headquarters- Alexandria, Virginia, USA
Establishment- 1896
