As an organization promoting the highest possible standards of medical ethics, the WMA provides ethical guidance to physicians through its Declarations, Resolutions and Statements. These also help to guide National Medical Associations, governments and international organizations throughout the world. The Declarations, Resolutions and Statements cover a wide range of subjects, including an International Code of Medical Ethics, the rights of patients, research on human subjects, care of the sick and wounded in times of armed conflict, torture of prisoners, the use and abuse of drugs, family planning and pollution.

Others areas of service:

• Health-related human rights - promoting and defending the basic rights of patients and physicians
• Medical education - helping physicians to continuously improve their knowledge and skills
• Human resources planning for health care services
• Patient safety
• Public health policy and projects such as tobacco control, immunization
• Democracy building for new medical associations, especially in new or developing democracies
• Leadership and career development
• Advocacy for physicians' and patients' rights
• Occupational health and safety

Partnerships and Alliances:

The WMA is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). Partnerships and alliances with other health professional associations, governmental and non-governmental agencies and regional medical associations support the work of the WMA to provide the best possible care to the patients of the world. In particular, the World Health Professions Alliance (www.whpa.org) combines the strengths of the international professional associations for physicians, nurses and pharmacists to advocate and work for the highest possible standards of health care for all people.