The World Health Organization (WHO) was officially chartered by the United Nations in 1948 to coordinate international public health efforts and disease eradication programs. This organization plays a critical role in addressing global health challenges, including pandemics, health inequities, and disease prevention. The establishment of the WHO marked a significant step towards international collaboration in improving health outcomes worldwide.

The founding of the World Health Organization introduced a new lexicon for global health that permeated late-century literature. Poets began to critique globalization through the lens of health and wellness, reflecting on the interconnectedness of societies and the shared human experience in their works.