Abstract
World Voice Day 2010
In the United States, World Voice Day was first celebrated on April 16, 2003. It was supported by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO–HNS) (www.entnet.org), the Voice Foundation (www.voicefoundation.org), the American Laryngological Association (www.alahns.org), and numerous other societies and organizations. However, the concept for World Voice Day first was developed in Brazil, where otolaryngologists declared a National Voice Week in April 1999. World Health Organization data had shown a particularly high rate of laryngeal cancer in Brazil, and Brazilian otolaryngologists developed National Voice Week to highlight this problem.
Soon, other societies recognized the importance of such a public event and began collaborating. These societies included the European Laryngological Association (www.elsoc.org), American Bronchoesophagological Association (www.abea.net), and others.
World Voice Day has continued to evolve. A summary of its history is on the Academy
Web site at
World Voice Day is celebrated each year on April 16. It is marked with concerts, lectures, media events, and educational activities worldwide. These include Web-based educational initiatives, some of which can be accessed through the AAO-HNS Web site. Events in various cities are organized by laryngologists and voice team members who are committed to expanding public knowledge and appreciation of the voice, and raising awareness of the importance of vocal health and education.
For example, in Philadelphia, 2009 World Voice Day events included a program for elementary school students in the Philadelphia school system presented by a storyteller, a vocal health workshop for actors, a master class for singers, a keynote presentation by a television anchor who had experienced voice problems, and a lecture by a laryngologist on medical problems affecting the voice. Similarly, in Lisbon, Portugal, under the guidance of Professor Mario Andrea, major World Voice Day events included large group performances, broadcasts, and nationwide involvement of the school system. For 2010, equally exciting events are planned.
The AAO-HNS developed a Web site, fact sheets on common voice problems, and materials for press releases to assist local communities in developing World Voice Day events. These materials are updated regularly and are available through the Academy. The Academy also establishes annual World Voice Day themes for the American celebration. In the past, these have included “Listen to your voice, it might be telling you something,” Put your best voice forward,” “Don't tax your voice,” and “Invest in your voice.” The 2010 theme is “Love your voice.”
Too many communities in the United States and elsewhere still are not actively celebrating World Voice Day. This event provides an opportunity for all of us to collaborate with colleagues in speech-language pathology, singing, acting, public speaking, education, the media, and other endeavors. Vocal health is critical to our communication-oriented society, but the voice does not receive the public recognition and appreciation it deserves. World Voice Day provides us a perfect forum through which to refamiliarize ourselves with the latest advances in laryngology and voice care, and to educate our colleagues, patients, and communities via lectures, free voice screenings, community outreach programs, and other offerings.
The past few decades have seen remarkable advances in voice diagnosis and treatment that have raised the standard of care for all voice patients. World Voice Day is a perfect time to highlight these advances and to educate the media about the current state of the art in voice care.