Smile Train Named Member of the World Hearing Forum

New York, NY (March 3, 2024) – Smile Train is the first cleft-focused organization accepted as a member of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Hearing Forum (WHF). The goals of the forum are to facilitate the implementation of the World Health Assembly resolution WHA70.13 on “Prevention of deafness and hearing loss,” support WHO’s advocacy actions in the field of hearing and raise awareness for ear and hearing care.

“Smile Train supports comprehensive cleft care including speech therapy, psychosocial, nutritional and oral health services, as well as ear and hearing care,” said Sara Horne, Director of Global Speech & Hearing Programs at Smile Train. “We know cleft-affected children are at greater risk of developing middle ear disorders, which can result in hearing loss and subsequently impact a child’s overall development and quality of life. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are aligned with the WHO’s global network of stakeholders promoting ear and hearing care worldwide.”

With over 200 members, the forum drives a global advocacy initiative that provides a common platform and narrative for all stakeholders to collaborate and raise awareness about the need and means for ear and hearing care through its different workstreams to achieve its advocacy goal, including Make Listening Safe, World Hearing Day, Changemakers, and External Relations.

“We envision a world in which no person experiences hearing loss due to preventable causes and those with hearing loss can achieve their full potential through rehabilitation, education and empowerment,” said Shelly Chadha, Technical Lead, Ear and Hearing at the World Health Organization. “We’re very happy to have Smile Train as one of our newest members as the nonprofit understands and values the importance of hearing care and awareness.”

The membership announcement comes amid the WHO-led campaign for World Hearing Day which happens annually on March 3rd. This year’s theme is “Changing Mindsets.” It focuses on overcoming the challenges posed by societal misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets through awareness-raising and information sharing. To learn more, visit worldhearingday.org.

About Smile Train: Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train's sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org.

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Media Contact: Nicole Bell | Public Relations
nbell@smiletrain.org | (646)829-0996