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Tag: air pollution

  • Healthy environments for healthy children – UNICEF

    Children Born Today Have Better Survival Chances, but Climate Change Threatens Progress

    A child born today has a significantly higher chance of reaching their fifth birthday than ever before. However, climate change and environmental degradation threaten to reverse these advances in child and adolescent survival, health, and well-being.

    Children globally face numerous environmental hazards, such as polluted air, water, and food; exposure to toxic chemicals; unsafe infrastructure; and climate change-related threats. Extreme weather events like floods and wildfires destroy infrastructure and economies, posing unique threats to young bodies and minds. Slower-onset events, such as droughts and the spread of parasites, bacterial, and viral diseases, present more pronounced dangers for children.

    Addressing environmental risks could prevent an estimated 26% of deaths in children under five. Environmental hazards have been linked to various significant health risks for children. For example, the global rise in cancer, diabetes, neurodevelopmental disorders, and asthma has coincided with a surge in air pollution, e-waste, and harmful chemicals in everyday products. Currently, 300 million children live in areas with toxic air, where toxicity levels are six or more times higher than international guidelines. Additionally, around one in three children – up to 800 million worldwide – have dangerously high blood lead levels.

    Improving children’s ability to survive and thrive requires addressing the profound ways environmental factors shape their health and well-being. UNICEF’s programs for survival, health, and well-being emphasize action on climate change and environmental degradation, responding to local disease burdens and risk factors.

    The Healthy Environments for Healthy Children Global Programme Framework outlines five major actions to guide UNICEF country programs:

    1. Mobilizing collective action.
    2. Enhancing primary health care.
    3. Improving resilience in health care facilities.
    4. Integrating climate and environmental education into school programs.
    5. Empowering children and young people to be agents of change.

    UNICEF, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank, founded the Children’s Environmental Health Collaborative. The Collaborative aims to mobilize international action to protect child health and development from the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. Every child has the right to a healthy environment, and everyone has a role to play.

    Key Initiatives and Reports:

    • Key findings from a groundbreaking report on lead exposure and its effects on children.
    • Immediate action required to prevent a malnutrition crisis among children in Zambia – UNICEF.
    • Air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, becoming the second leading risk factor for death, including for children under five.
    • Flash floods in Afghanistan posing urgent and persistent threats to children.
    • Children’s Environmental Health Collaborative.
    • Healthy Environments for Healthy Children Global Programme Framework.
    • Healthy Environments for Healthy Children: Key messages.
    • Healthy Environments for Healthy Children YouTube Playlist.
    • Protecting children from heat stress: A technical note.
    • The Toxic Truth: Children’s exposure to lead pollution undermines a generation of future potential.
    • The climate crisis is a child rights crisis: Introducing the Children’s Climate Risk Index.
    • Environment and Climate Change.

    Source: Unicef

  • World Bank Report Highlights Alarming Environmental Health Risks in Bangladesh

    Black Samsung Tablet Computer

    A new World Bank report reveals that Bangladesh faces severe pollution and environmental health risks, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations, including the poor, children under five, the elderly, and women. The Bangladesh Country Environmental Analysis (CEA) outlines that air pollution, unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene, and lead exposure cause over 272,000 premature deaths and 5.2 billion days of illness annually. These environmental issues cost Bangladesh an equivalent of 17.6 percent of its GDP in 2019.

    Household and outdoor air pollution are the most detrimental, leading to nearly 55 percent of premature deaths and costing 8.32 percent of GDP in 2019. “For Bangladesh, addressing environmental risks is both a development and an economic priority,” said Abdoulaye Seck, Country Director for Bhutan and Bangladesh. “We have seen around the world that when economic growth comes at the cost of the environment, it cannot sustain. But it is possible to grow cleaner and greener without growing slower.”

    Children are particularly affected by environmental pollution. Lead poisoning is causing irreversible damage to children’s brain development, resulting in an estimated annual loss of nearly 20 million IQ points. Household emissions from cooking with solid fuels are a major source of air pollution, affecting women and children. Major rivers in Bangladesh have experienced a severe decline in water quality due to industrial discharge and unmanaged waste, including plastics and untreated sewage.

    Timely interventions for air pollution control, improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and control of lead exposure could prevent over 133,000 premature deaths per year. Investments in cleaner power generation, clean cooking fuels, and stricter controls on industrial emissions can help reduce air pollution.

    “With timely and the right set of policies and actions, Bangladesh can reverse its environment degradation trend,” said Ana Luisa Gomes Lima, World Bank Senior Environmental Specialist and co-author of the report. “Strengthening and enforcing environmental regulations, coupled with investments and other incentives for clean cooking, scaling up green financing, setting up efficient carbon markets, and raising awareness, can help reduce pollution and achieve green growth in Bangladesh.”

    The report identifies environmental priorities, assesses interventions, and includes recommendations to strengthen governance and institutional capacity for environmental management. Bangladesh can protect its environment by setting evidence-based priorities, diversifying and strengthening environmental policy instruments, strengthening institutional capacity, and building an enabling environment for green financing.

    Source: World Bank

  • WHO’s Report on Climate Change Implications for Global Health

    Climate Change: A Fundamental Threat to Human Health

    Overview: Climate change presents a fundamental threat to human health, impacting the physical environment and all aspects of natural and human systems, including social, economic conditions, and health system functioning. It acts as a threat multiplier, potentially reversing decades of health progress by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as storms, heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires. These events directly and indirectly increase the risk of deaths, noncommunicable diseases, the spread of infectious diseases, and health emergencies.

    Health Workforce and Infrastructure Impact: Climate change affects health infrastructure and the capacity to provide universal health coverage (UHC). Environmental and social determinants of health, such as clean air, water, soil, food systems, and livelihoods, are degraded by climate shocks and stresses, including changing temperature patterns, droughts, floods, and rising sea levels.

    IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) reveals that climate risks are accelerating and becoming more severe. It highlights that 3.6 billion people live in areas highly susceptible to climate change, with low-income countries and small island developing states (SIDS) bearing the harshest health impacts despite minimal contributions to global emissions. Vulnerable regions have seen a death rate from extreme weather events 15 times higher than less vulnerable areas.

    Health Impacts of Climate Change:

    • Direct Health Impacts: Death and illness from extreme weather events like heatwaves, storms, and floods.
    • Indirect Health Impacts: Disruption of food systems, increased zoonoses, and food-, water-, and vector-borne diseases. Mental health issues due to displacement and social disruption.
    • Social Determinants: Livelihoods, equality, and access to healthcare and social support are undermined.

    Vulnerable Populations: Climate-sensitive health risks disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, including women, children, ethnic minorities, poor communities, migrants, older populations, and those with underlying health conditions.

    Scientific Advances: While it is challenging to estimate the full scale of climate-sensitive health risks, scientific advances allow for better attribution of morbidity and mortality to global warming. WHO data indicates that 2 billion people lack safe drinking water, and 600 million suffer from foodborne illnesses annually. Climate change exacerbates waterborne and foodborne disease risks, hunger, and the spread of vector-borne diseases.

    Projected Health Impacts: Recent research attributes 37% of heat-related deaths to human-induced climate change, with a significant increase in heat-related deaths among those over 65. The WHO projects 250,000 additional yearly deaths by the 2030s due to climate change impacts on diseases like malaria and coastal flooding.

    Economic and Social Consequences: Climate change threatens to undo 50 years of progress in development, global health, and poverty reduction, exacerbating health inequalities. Health shocks already push around 100 million people into poverty annually, a trend worsened by climate change.

    WHO’s Response: WHO’s response centers around three main objectives:

    1. Leadership and Raising Awareness: Emphasizing the health implications of climate change and centralizing health in climate policies.
    2. Evidence and Monitoring: Contributing global evidence, assisting nations in assessments, and monitoring progress.
    3. Capacity Building and Country Support: Supporting ministries of health through collaboration, guidance, training, and project execution.

    Global Commitment: To prevent catastrophic health impacts and millions of climate-related deaths, the world must limit the temperature rise to 1.5°C. Every additional tenth of a degree of warming will severely impact people’s lives and health. WHO aims for carbon neutrality by 2030 and leads the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) to support climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems.

    Related Resources:

    • News
    • Fact sheets
    • Feature stories

    Source: WHO

  • Health Consequences of Air Pollution on Populations (WHO)

    photograph of three plain releasing colorful smokes
    What Are the Public Health Impacts of Air Pollution?

    Exposure to high levels of air pollution can lead to a variety of health issues. The short- and long-term health consequences of air pollution exposure, particularly from fine particles that penetrate deep into lung passageways, must be carefully assessed. These fine particles pose a significant threat to public health, increasing the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with preexisting health conditions are particularly at risk. Poor air quality also heightens the likelihood of stillbirth, miscarriage, and neurological conditions like cognitive impairment and dementia.

    In 2019, air pollution was responsible for around 6.7 million deaths worldwide. Nearly 85% of these deaths were due to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes. This makes air pollution the second leading cause of NCDs globally, following tobacco.

    What Can We Do to Protect Ourselves?

    Addressing air pollution requires collective action and responsibility. We must all take swift and proactive measures to reduce air pollution, involving coordinated efforts across all sectors, including national, state, and local governments, cities, communities, and individuals.

    • National Governments: Reduce emissions and establish national standards that meet WHO air quality guidelines. Invest in research and education about clean air and pollution. Utilize tools to evaluate policies and monitor progress on air quality initiatives.
    • Cities and Local Communities: Incorporate health considerations into all policies and ensure there is sufficient data and tools to assess health outcomes.
    • Individuals: Advocate for your right to a healthy and sustainable environment. Hold your government accountable.
    • Everyone: Reevaluate lifestyle choices and make sustainable decisions for ourselves, our children, and future generations.

    What Is Particulate Matter?

    Particulate matter (PM) refers to tiny particles in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Diesel vehicles and coal-fired power plants typically emit high concentrations of particulate matter. Particles smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10) pose serious health risks because they can be inhaled and accumulate in the respiratory system. Particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5), also known as “fine” particles, pose the greatest health risks due to their ability to lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

    What Are the Sources of Air Pollution?

    Major sources of air pollution include inefficient modes of transport (using polluting fuels and vehicles), the combustion of household fuels for cooking, lighting, and heating, coal-fired power plants, agriculture, and waste burning. Some air pollutants are also greenhouse gases, which further exacerbate the health impacts of air pollution.

    What Can Countries Do to Reduce Air Pollution?

    To mitigate the health consequences of air pollution, countries can:

    • Develop sustainable transport systems in cities
    • Implement effective solid waste management practices
    • Provide access to clean household fuels and cookstoves
    • Develop markets for renewable energy and energy efficiency
    • Reduce industrial emissions

    How Does WHO Work with Countries to Reduce Air Pollution?

    WHO identifies and monitors air pollutants with the greatest health impacts, helping countries focus on the most effective ways to reduce health risks. By reviewing and analyzing scientific evidence and expert advice, WHO identifies effective measures to combat air pollution.

    In 2015, WHO Member States adopted a resolution to address the adverse health effects of air pollution. They agreed on a roadmap for an enhanced global response to these effects. WHO’s work is based on four pillars:

    1. Expanding the knowledge base
    2. Monitoring and reporting
    3. Global leadership and coordination
    4. Institutional capacity strengthening

    WHO’s Strategy on Air Quality and Health

    WHO’s strategy outlines concrete actions where the health sector can lead or support efforts to promote health in all policies and ensure access to quality health services. The three cross-cutting areas are:

    1. Knowledge, evidence, and measuring progress
    2. Institutional capacity building and technical support
    3. Leadership and coordination

    The “WHO Strategic Approach for Air Quality, Energy Access, and Health” framework (2023-2030) aims to enhance WHO’s efforts in protecting populations from the health consequences of air pollution and lack of energy access.

    Note to Editors:
    This press release was updated on 25 June 2024 to reflect revised data and links.

    SOURCE: who.int

  • Impact of Healthier Environments on Reducing the Global Burden of Disease

    red and white bokeh lightsThe Critical Role of Healthier Environments in Reducing Global Disease Burden

    Healthier environments have the potential to significantly reduce the global burden of disease, with estimates suggesting that almost one-quarter of it could be prevented. The COVID-19 pandemic has starkly highlighted the fragile relationship between human health and the health of our planet. Ensuring clean air, a stable climate, adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene, safe use of chemicals, protection from radiation, healthy workplaces, sustainable agricultural practices, health-supportive cities and built environments, and preserved nature are all essential prerequisites for good health.

    In 2016, around 13.7 million deaths per year, or 24% of global deaths, were attributable to modifiable environmental risks. This translates to nearly one in four deaths globally being linked to environmental conditions. The pathways through which disease agents and exposures occur are numerous, and unhealthy environmental conditions are widespread, affecting most disease and injury categories. Noncommunicable diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancers are the most common outcomes, followed closely by injuries, respiratory infections, and strokes.

    To address these challenges and promote healthier environments for healthier populations, various initiatives are underway. These include addressing the health consequences of air pollution, hosting global conferences on air pollution and health, and convening health professionals to advance the climate change and health agenda. For example, progress on basic energy access has reversed for the first time in a decade, underscoring the need for continued efforts.

    Recent publications highlight the importance of providing safe and sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, managing healthcare waste, and ensuring reliable electricity. These efforts are crucial for maintaining public health, especially in fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable settings. Adolescents, who make up about 1.3 billion of the world’s population, are particularly at risk due to prolonged exposure to unhealthy environments.

    Small drinking-water supplies often face operational, managerial, technical, and resourcing challenges, impacting their ability to deliver safe water. Energy access is also linked to many sustainable development priorities, including public health, gender equality, food security, clean water, education, and economic development.

    Efforts to accelerate access to electricity in healthcare facilities, the impact of health innovations, R&D processes, and access to essential health services are all part of the broader agenda to build healthier environments. Stories of success and ongoing challenges are being shared through various platforms, including features on air pollution, health and environment scorecards, worker health and safety, and ethical radiological imaging.

    Upcoming events and webinars continue to address these critical issues, such as the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, webinars on accessing GCF Readiness funds, conducting gender analyses for climate change and health vulnerability assessments, and developing Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs).

    Country profiles on air pollution, chemical safety, children’s environmental health, climate change, health impact assessments, occupational health, radiation, sustainable development, ultraviolet radiation, urban health, and WASH provide valuable insights into the state of environmental health worldwide. By focusing on these areas, we can move towards a future where healthier environments lead to healthier populations.

    source: who.int