WHO urges accelerated motion to guard human well being and fight the local weather disaster at a time of heightened battle and fragility

On this World Well being Day (April 7, 2022), WHO is issuing an pressing name for accelerated motion by leaders and all individuals to protect and shield well being and mitigate the local weather disaster as a part of an “Our planet, our well being” marketing campaign marking the group’s founding day, which falls at a time of heightened battle and fragility.

In issuing its call-to-action, WHO notes that 99% of individuals breathe unhealthy air primarily ensuing from burning of fossil fuels. A heating world is seeing mosquitos unfold ailments additional and sooner than ever earlier than. Excessive climate occasions, biodiversity loss, land degradation and water shortage are displacing individuals and affecting their well being. Air pollution and plastics are discovered on the backside of our deepest oceans, the best mountains, and have made their method into our meals chain and blood stream. Techniques that produce extremely processed, unhealthy meals and drinks are driving a wave of weight problems, growing most cancers and coronary heart illness whereas producing as much as one-third of world greenhouse gasoline emissions. This well being and social disaster is compromising individuals’s skill to take management over their well being and lives.  

“The local weather disaster is a well being disaster: the identical unsustainable selections which can be killing our planet are killing individuals,” stated WHO Director-Normal Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We’d like transformative options to wean the world off its habit to fossil fuels, to reimagine economies and societies targeted on well-being, and to safeguard the well being of the planet on which human well being relies upon.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fault traces of inequity internationally, underlining the urgency for creating sustainable, well-being societies which don’t breach ecological limits and which be certain that all individuals have entry to life-saving and life-enhancing instruments, techniques, insurance policies and environments.

WHO’s Manifesto to make sure a wholesome and inexperienced restoration from COVID-19 prescribes defending and preserving nature because the supply of human well being; investing in important companies from water and sanitation to wash power in healthcare amenities; guaranteeing a fast and wholesome power transition; selling wholesome and sustainable meals techniques; constructing wholesome and livable cities; and stopping using taxpayers’ cash to fund air pollution.

The Geneva Constitution for well-being highlights what world commitments are wanted to attain equitable well being and social outcomes now and for future generations, with out destroying the well being of our planet. 

By means of its World Well being Day marketing campaign, WHO is asking on governments, organizations, firms, and residents to share actions they’re taking to guard the planet and human well being.