OpenWHO

What OpenWHO is

OpenWHO is the World Health Organization’s learning resource hub for health emergencies, with materials spanning infectious diseases and emergency management. WHO launched the platform in 2017 as an open source of public health knowledge for emergencies. Its learning resources include videos, slides, handouts, PDFs and other materials for building capacity, based on WHO scientific and operational guidance. Learners can search for videos and resources or browse by topic. The materials are presented in formats suited to low-bandwidth use and designed to be adapted, contextualized and translated. Resources are freely accessible to anyone without registration or sign-in, on the web and through Android and iOS platforms. The mobile-friendly site is accessible from most smartphones and tablets. Some videos can be downloaded when the content creator’s permissions allow it; otherwise, they can be streamed online. Some resources are offered in additional languages, and some site content is translated. OpenWHO no longer tracks individual learner progress or provides certificates. Its FAQ gives [email protected] and [email protected] as support contacts.

Who it suits

OpenWHO suits health workers, frontline responders, policy-makers and members of the public seeking learning materials related to health emergencies. Its free, no-sign-in access and low-bandwidth formats also suit learners who need resources that can be adapted or accessed on mobile devices.

Limits

The free plan provides access without registration or sign-in, but includes no certificates, and some videos may not be downloadable. OpenWHO no longer tracks individual learner progress.

Getting started

1. Open https://openwho.org/ on the web or use Android or iOS
2. Search for a video or resource, or browse by learning topic
3. Stream videos online, or download them when the creator permits

Verdict

Choose OpenWHO for freely accessible learning materials grounded in WHO guidance on health emergencies. Look elsewhere if you need certificates, individual progress tracking or a degree program.