Nearly a Quarter of All Disease Linked to Environment by WHO Report
Thursday May 10, 2007
Thirteen million deaths annually and nearly a quarter of all disease worldwide—including 33 percent of illnesses in children under age five—are due to environmental causes that could be avoided or prevented, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the report, titled Preventing disease through healthy environments: Towards an estimate of the environmental burden of disease, the four main diseases caused by environmental factors are diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, various forms of unintentional injuries, and malaria.
Preventative measures that could be taken now include the promotion of safe household water storage and better hygiene; the use of cleaner and safer fuels; more judicious use and management of toxic substances at home and work; and better water resource management.
According to WHO, the report is “the most comprehensive and systematic study yet undertaken on how preventable environmental hazards contribute to a wide range of diseases and injuries. By focusing on the environmental causes of disease, and how various diseases are influenced by environmental factors, the analysis breaks new ground in understanding the interactions between environment and health. The estimate reflects how much death, illness and disability could be realistically avoided every year as a result of better environmental management.”
"For the first time, this new report shows how specific diseases and injuries are influenced by environmental risks and by how much," said Dr Maria Neira, Director of WHO's Department for Public Health and Environment. "It also shows very clearly the gains that would accrue both to public health and to the general environment by a series of straightforward, coordinated investments. We call on ministries of health, environment and other partners to work together to ensure that these environmental and public health gains become a reality."
More information:
Preventing disease through healthy environments: Towards an estimate of the environmental burden of disease – (Text of the Report)
Video message by Dr. Maria Neira, Director, Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization
Radio interviews with Dr. Maria Neira
According to the report, titled Preventing disease through healthy environments: Towards an estimate of the environmental burden of disease, the four main diseases caused by environmental factors are diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, various forms of unintentional injuries, and malaria.
Preventative measures that could be taken now include the promotion of safe household water storage and better hygiene; the use of cleaner and safer fuels; more judicious use and management of toxic substances at home and work; and better water resource management.
According to WHO, the report is “the most comprehensive and systematic study yet undertaken on how preventable environmental hazards contribute to a wide range of diseases and injuries. By focusing on the environmental causes of disease, and how various diseases are influenced by environmental factors, the analysis breaks new ground in understanding the interactions between environment and health. The estimate reflects how much death, illness and disability could be realistically avoided every year as a result of better environmental management.”
"For the first time, this new report shows how specific diseases and injuries are influenced by environmental risks and by how much," said Dr Maria Neira, Director of WHO's Department for Public Health and Environment. "It also shows very clearly the gains that would accrue both to public health and to the general environment by a series of straightforward, coordinated investments. We call on ministries of health, environment and other partners to work together to ensure that these environmental and public health gains become a reality."
More information:
Preventing disease through healthy environments: Towards an estimate of the environmental burden of disease – (Text of the Report)
Video message by Dr. Maria Neira, Director, Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization
Radio interviews with Dr. Maria Neira
Comments
Good article about declining paper or plastic shopping bags. However; you forgot to mention where to obtain an alternative shopping bag (environmentally friendly). Who makes an environmentally friendly substitute?