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Each year, WGO celebrates World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) by initiating a worldwide public health campaign in order to increase awareness of prevention, prevalence, diagnosis, management, and treatment of digestive diseases or disorders worldwide. This year’s campaign Your Digestive Health: Make It A Priority is celebrated today on Wednesday, 29 May 2024.

Prioritizing digestive health is paramount for fostering overall well-being and quality of life. The digestive system serves as the gateway to nourishment, absorbing vital nutrients essential for sustaining bodily functions and promoting optimal health. By making digestive health a priority, individuals empower themselves to proactively manage their well-being, mitigating the risk of gastrointestinal disorders and associated complications. A balanced and nutritious diet, coupled with lifestyle choices that support digestive wellness, not only enhances physical health but also contributes to mental and emotional equilibrium.

Furthermore, prioritizing digestive health fosters a proactive approach to healthcare, enabling early detection and intervention in the case of potential issues, thus promoting longevity and vitality. Ultimately, by recognizing the pivotal role of the digestive system in overall health, individuals can embark on a journey towards holistic wellness, ensuring that they can fully engage in and enjoy all aspects of life to the fullest extent.

A Message from WGO President Prof. Geoffrey Metz

World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) highlights the importance to all of us of digestive health, which research has taught us in recent years is increasingly important to our general health as well.

We have known for a very long time that eating a healthy and controlled diet assists bowel function, dyspepsia, bloating and other bowel symptoms, as well as our weight. Weight control impacts the prevalence of diabetes and liver function, as well as improving energy and the feeling of well-being. Our diet affects our microbiome and research now tells us that many organs and many diseases are influenced by the microbiome.

Therefore, the need for all of us to be pro-active in digestive health by consuming a healthy diet has become increasingly obvious and so my message for WDHD this year is: “Digestive Health starts with me!”

Submit your Selfie Cards Photos!

We will be featuring submitted photos on WGO's social media accounts and on the WDHD website. Please submit your Selfie Card images if you would like to contribute - email photos to info@worldgastroenterology.org

Selfie Cards can be found on the WDHD website here.

Available Tools and Resources

In support of the 2024 campaign, we are pleased to provide tools and resources for use across the globe.