Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration
We work to prevent disease and promote health by addressing key areas of environmental health including climate change, clean energy; air quality; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); and chemicals and radiation. Health threats are addressed through a One Health approach that crosses the human, animal, and environmental sectors. It also promotes inclusive health policies and resilient health systems to meet the needs of migrants, refugees and displaced populations.
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Air quality, energy and health

Strategies

There are multiple strategies for reducing exposure to ambient air pollution. Fundamental information that should orient interventions is related to knowing the sources of air pollution. The interventions are usually available to reduce air pollution focus on developing sustainable transport in cities; implementing solid waste management; providing access to clean household fuels and technologies; developing a market for renewables energies and energy efficiency, and implementing industrial emissions reductions. Strategies to reduce air pollution share some general recommendations, valid in all countries, and some specific areas of interventions that are context-specific. 

General recommendations include: 

  • Promote country actions to strengthen air quality management and knowledge on the different sources of air pollution.  
  • Facilitate access to information on the health effects of air pollution and methods for reducing the exposure.
  • Encourage technological innovation to decrease emissions from stationary sources and conventional vehicles, and promote the use of clean fuels. 
  • Implement control mechanisms (e.g. emission inspections). 
  • Conduct health impact assessments to determine the magnitude of the burden of air pollution on health and the potential benefits on health associated with changes in air pollution.
  • Support the public health sector for a strong action across sectors and develop plans at regional, urban and rural levels.   

Specific recommendations depend on the situation of the transport system, the presence of industrial activities, the way agriculture activities are carried out, the location of a region or a city, and several other factors. For example, specific recommendations can be done on: 

  • on transportation systems that have to provide an alternative to cars and diesel buses, considering rail, electric or alternative fuel-powered buses, and cycling or walking networks.
  • On integrating environmental and health considerations in regional and urban planning, including locating activities in areas convenient for pedestrians and bicyclists in order to reduce the need for motorized transport, preventing traffic congestion, creating green areas, separating pedestrians and bicyclists from road traffic and locating non-residential functions around urban highways. 

Inform the public of effective pollution reduction activities and associated health benefits.