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Tag: Waterborne Diseases

  • 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

  • Pakistan Floods Trigger Severe Health Crisis of Epic Proportions

    33 million people affected by recent floods in Pakistan, the disaster has escalated into a severe health crisis, increasing the risks of waterborne diseases and disrupted healthcare access. The catastrophe has left over 1,300 people dead, displaced millions, and submerged one-third of the country.

    The floods, caused by a severe heatwave that melted glaciers and heavier-than-usual monsoon rains, have created dire conditions. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation as a “monsoon on steroids” and a “climate catastrophe,” highlighting South Asia as a climate crisis hotspot where people are 15 times more likely to die from climate effects. Despite contributing less than 1% to global carbon emissions, Pakistan bears a significant burden of climate change impacts.

    Initially, drowning posed the most immediate threat as floodwaters ravaged towns and villages. However, as the waters continue to destroy crops and essential infrastructure, malnutrition and other health issues loom large, especially for the most vulnerable populations.

    The floods have severely compromised Pakistan’s already fragile health infrastructure. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 1,400 health facilities have been damaged, making access to healthcare workers, medicines, and medical supplies a significant challenge.

    Rise in Waterborne Diseases

    A critical concern is the surge in waterborne diseases. Displaced individuals are living in makeshift camps with little access to clean water. Wateraid reports that half of all water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in the hardest-hit areas have been substantially damaged, leading to thousands suffering from dysentery. This intestinal infection causes severe diarrhea with blood, fevers, abdominal cramps, and life-threatening dehydration, primarily affecting children and the elderly.

    Cholera, another waterborne disease, poses a significant threat. Already on the rise before the floods, cholera can cause severe dehydration, hypovolemic shock, kidney failure, and death if not managed properly. The bacteria causing cholera can spread quickly, especially in areas with compromised sanitation.

    Vector-Borne Diseases

    Stagnant floodwaters are expected to increase mosquito populations, heightening the risk of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes carrying the Plasmodium parasite, can cause fever, anemia, and severe complications if untreated. Dengue fever, also spread by mosquitoes, can lead to high fever, rashes, and in severe cases, dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal.

    Disrupted Healthcare and Immunization Programs

    The floods have disrupted essential healthcare services, including immunization programs. Pakistan had already reported significant cases of measles and wild poliovirus in 2022. The destruction of infrastructure needed for vaccine distribution places children at increased risk of preventable diseases.

    Additionally, nearly 19,000 schools have been fully or partially destroyed, exacerbating an education crisis and adding to the trauma experienced by children.

    Impact on Women and Girls

    Among the millions affected are approximately 650,000 pregnant women, with 73,000 expected to deliver in the next month. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that many lack access to necessary healthcare facilities, increasing maternal mortality risks. Menstruating women also face severe health risks due to a lack of sanitary products, often resorting to using contaminated materials.

    Call for Immediate and Long-Term Action

    The slow response to aid provision has drawn criticism, particularly as the disaster coincides with global economic challenges. However, neglecting those affected by climate catastrophes, primarily caused by other countries, is a critical mistake. The global response must address the immediate crisis in Pakistan and implement broader measures to combat climate change, as its impacts will eventually affect everyone.

    SOURCE: AL JAZEERA