Global Air Pollution: Health Conference Registration

The World Health Organization (WHO) hosted the second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health on June 19, 2024. The conference focused on accelerating action for clean air, clean energy access, and climate change mitigation. It highlighted the need to implement solutions and take action to reduce air pollution and improve public health. The conference was attended by various stakeholders, including government representatives, health professionals, and civil society organizations, who made commitments to tackle air pollution and protect public health. The first Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health was held in 2018 and recognized the links between air pollution and health, particularly the impact on children's health and outdoor workers.

Air pollution and children's health

Air pollution is a critical public health issue that affects almost all vital organs and systems in our bodies. It is a global problem that does not discriminate based on borders or boundaries, impacting people of all ages, including children.

Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution, as their bodies and immune systems are still developing. Mounting evidence has linked air pollution to various adverse health outcomes, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and pulmonary diseases, as well as low birth weight, cognitive impairment, and mental health issues. The impact of air pollution on children's health is so significant that the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized it as a global health emergency during their Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health.

During the first Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in 2018, WHO and other participants acknowledged the urgent need to address the impact of air pollution on children's health. They recognized that improving air quality is essential to reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The conference highlighted the importance of equipping national health workforces to deal with air pollution and its impact on children. It also emphasized the need to strengthen air quality monitoring in areas close to schools, as outdoor air pollution poses a significant risk to children's health.

The second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, held in 2024, further emphasized the urgency of tackling air pollution to protect children's health. WHO and various countries, cities, and organizations made commitments to reduce air pollution and safeguard children's health. For example, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India committed to aligning with the National Clean Air Programme to reduce the health impacts of air pollution by 2040. They also pledged to strengthen air pollution and non-communicable disease surveillance and promote cleaner cooking energy, especially for vulnerable populations, which includes children. These commitments demonstrate a global recognition of the importance of protecting children from the harmful effects of air pollution and a dedication to taking concrete actions to improve their health outcomes.

Health sector emissions

The healthcare sector is responsible for around 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. While this is a significant amount, the health sector also has a unique opportunity to leverage its position and resources to combat climate change and improve population health and the environment.

The health sector can play a major role in tackling climate change and improving public health. Health systems and policies can have a considerable impact on infrastructure development and climate change. The WHO's Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, held in 2024, aimed to accelerate action for clean air, clean energy access, and climate change mitigation. The conference highlighted the need for coordinated multi-sectoral solutions to prevent communicable and non-communicable diseases, protect child health, and limit climate change.

One of the key focuses of the conference was to discuss strategies to mitigate the health sector's environmental footprint. This included reducing the health sector's greenhouse gas emissions and improving waste management practices. Health sector emissions contribute to air pollution, which has various health outcomes, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and pulmonary diseases, cancer, low birth weight, diabetes, cognitive impairment, and mental health impacts.

Several countries made commitments at the conference to tackle air pollution and improve health outcomes. For example, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India committed to supporting the health sector in reducing the health impacts of air pollution by 2040, promoting cleaner cooking energy, and protecting at-risk patients. Brazil committed to strengthening interministerial cooperation and advancing key initiatives, such as the establishment of the National Air Quality Policy. China also demonstrated its dedication by committing to stronger air quality standards, smarter health protection systems, and enhanced international cooperation.

The health sector has the potential to drive meaningful change by developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to reduce its environmental footprint and improve population health and the environment.

Clean air commitments

The Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health by the World Health Organization (WHO) saw the participation of countries, regions, cities, ministers, government representatives, health professionals, scientists, UN agencies, civil society, and academia. The conference highlighted the need for clean air, energy access, and climate change mitigation. It also showcased the health risks of air pollution, energy poverty, and the co-benefits of taking action.

The conference concluded with powerful commitments from over 50 countries, cities, and organizations to tackle air pollution and protect public health. Here are some of the key clean air commitments that emerged from the conference:

Surveillance and Public Health

The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia committed to strengthening efforts across sectors to address air pollution. This includes enhancing surveillance and public health initiatives, improving air quality, promoting clean energy technologies, and developing early warning systems for wildfire prevention.

Clean Energy Transition

Colombia also pledged to support a clean energy transition by advancing clean technologies in industry and transportation. This aligns with the global effort to accelerate clean energy access and achieve the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines.

National Clean Air Programmes

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, committed to aligning with the National Clean Air Programme to reduce the health impacts of air pollution by 2040. They will focus on strengthening air pollution and non-communicable disease surveillance, promoting cleaner cooking energy, and supporting clinicians in protecting at-risk patients.

International Cooperation

Brazil is committed to strengthening interministerial cooperation and advancing key initiatives, such as the National Air Quality Policy. They will also update their air quality standards based on WHO guidelines and monitor the impact of these initiatives on reducing mortality due to air pollution exposure.

Health Sector Leadership

Health associations and civil society organizations pledged to support the integration of air pollution and planetary health into medical education. They aim to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to address the health impacts of air pollution effectively.

These clean air commitments demonstrate the global recognition of air pollution as a critical public health issue. By translating these commitments into concrete actions, countries aim to protect lives, promote well-being, and drive meaningful change to improve air quality and safeguard public health.

Energy poverty and health risks

Air pollution is a pervasive problem that transcends borders and severely impacts public health. Evidence presented at the conference highlighted the detrimental effects of both ambient and household air pollution on various health outcomes. The list of health issues linked to air pollution includes respiratory, cardiovascular, and pulmonary diseases, cancer, low birth weight, diabetes, cognitive impairment, and mental health issues. The annual death toll attributed to air pollution stands at an alarming 7 million people worldwide.

Energy poverty, a critical aspect within this context, exacerbates health risks. The lack of access to clean energy sources contributes to indoor air pollution, particularly affecting households that rely on solid fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting. This was emphasized during the conference, along with discussions on the health sector's role in promoting clean energy access as a means to mitigate these risks.

The conference served as a platform for knowledge-sharing and the exploration of concrete solutions. It provided an opportunity to showcase the co-benefits of addressing air pollution and energy poverty, including improvements in public health, economic development, and climate change mitigation. Furthermore, the event facilitated the exchange of assessment tools and resources to aid decision-makers in devising effective strategies.

Participants at the conference included a diverse range of stakeholders, such as ministers of health and environment, government representatives, health professionals, scientists, and members of civil society. This broad participation fostered a comprehensive approach to tackling energy poverty and its associated health risks. Country commitments made during the conference reflected a unified resolve to address these challenges, with a particular emphasis on protecting vulnerable populations.

Air quality monitoring

The World Health Organization (WHO) hosted the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health on 19 June 2024. The conference highlighted the need for policy solutions to address air pollution and energy access issues. It aimed to catalyze evidence-based, multi-sectoral actions in various regions to prevent diseases and save lives.

To expand air quality monitoring, new technologies such as low-cost sensors can be utilized. These sensors can provide data from areas that are currently not adequately monitored. However, the effective use and interpretation of this data require new protocols and standards.

Several countries have already committed to improving their air quality monitoring systems. For example, Brazil has committed to the establishment of the National Air Quality Policy, along with updating air quality standards based on WHO guidelines. India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also committed to strengthening air pollution and non-communicable disease surveillance as part of their National Clean Air Programme.

Additionally, the Deputy Mayor of London, Mete Coban, representing almost 100 of the world's biggest cities, supported WHO's 2040 target and roadmap, calling for stronger air quality monitoring systems and recognizing cities as key partners in developing and implementing clean air strategies.

Frequently asked questions