What is the function of the World Health Organization (WHO)?

The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in promoting public health on a global scale. Its primary function is to direct international health initiatives, providing leadership on global health matters and coordinating efforts to tackle health emergencies. This includes mobilizing resources during crises, sharing critical health information, and collaborating with countries to improve health systems and responses to diseases. WHO aims to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to essential health services and that health policies are based on scientific evidence.

The other options, while they may contribute to the overall health landscape, do not encapsulate the WHO's primary mandate. Regulating medical practices worldwide is not within the WHO's charter; instead, it focuses on guidelines and standards that member countries may adopt. The importation of medical supplies is typically handled by individual countries or organizations rather than WHO directly. While the WHO supports medical education through various initiatives, this is not its principal function compared to its responsibilities in managing public health and coordinating global health responses.