World Voice Day (WVD) is a global campaign annually observed across the globe on 16th April to celebrate the phenomenon of voice. WVD also aims to spread awareness of the importance of the human voice and the preventive care it requires.
- WVD is a special day of awareness, recognition, and celebration of the human voice.
World Voice Day 2024 campaign was observed under the motto/theme, “Resonate. Educate. Celebrate!”
- The theme was chosen by the Voice Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) to emphasise various aspects of voice care and rehabilitation.
Note: AAO-HNS is one of the world’s largest organisations representing specialists who treat the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck.
Background:
i.The concept of dedicating a day to celebrate the voice began in Brazil in 1999 by the Brazilian Society of Laryngology and Voice (SBLV).
ii.A multidisciplinary group, comprised of physicians, speech-language pathologists, and singing voice therapists, established the Brazilian National Voice Day on 16th April 1999.
iii.In 2002, Professor Mario Andrea, a Portuguese laryngologist and the then President of the European Laryngological Society proposed the idea of celebrating the Day as a global event.
iv.The celebration officially became “World Voice Day” in 2002 with the recognition of the event by AAO-HNS, spearheaded by the Speech, Voice, and Swallowing Disorders Committee.
Note: AAO-HNS has sponsored the United States of America (US) observance of WVD since its inception in 2002.
Significance:
i.WVD aims to demonstrate the huge significance of the voice in our daily lives.
- The voice serves as a vital tool for communication and intersects with various disciplines such as physics, psychology, phonetics, art, and biology.
ii.WVD encourages everyone (young and old), to assess their vocal health and take action to improve or maintain good voice habits.
Objectives of WVD:
- Global awareness regarding voice problem prevention.
- Training and maintaining the artistic voice.
- Raise awareness about voice-related professions on voice care.
- Highlight the role of otolaryngology in the diagnosis and treatment of voice disorders.
- Educate about risk factors for laryngeal cancer.
About American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS):
President– Douglas D. Backous
President-elect– Troy D. Woodard
Headquarters– Alexandria, Virginia (USA)
Established in– 1896
