World Health Day 2022: Our planet, our health

April 7th is World Health Day, a global health awareness event run by the World Health Organization. It also marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948, when the first World Health Assembly was held. Each year, a specific theme is chosen to draw worldwide attention to a global health subject of major importance. 

World Health Day 2022 theme

The recent pandemic and the increasing incidence of chronic and life-threatening diseases are forcing us to question and reconsider our lifestyle and its impact on both our health and the environment. In the face of the state of our polluted planet and its direct effects on our health, the theme chosen by the WHO for the 2022 edition is ‘Our Planet, Our Health’.

WHO will focus global attention this World Health Day 2022 on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being.

Health, well-being and the environment

Thriving societies rely on stable and healthy ecosystems to provide life-critical services such as medicines, clean air, fresh water, abundant food, safe settlements and secured populations. 

“The pandemic has revealed weaknesses in all areas of society and underlined the urgency of creating sustainable well-being societies committed to achieving equitable health now and for future generations without breaching ecological limits.” - WHO, World Health Day 2022 

Climate change is perceived as the biggest health threat to humanity today. Today, over three billion people live in hotspots of high vulnerability to climate change. Extreme weather events, land degradation and water scarcity are displacing people and affecting both their physical and mental health. Global warming contributes to the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. The WHO estimates that, between 2030 and 2050, environmental disasters and extreme weather will lead to higher rates of malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress causing approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year.

Air Pollution

Air pollution resulting from burning fossil fuels is a major environmental risk to human health leading to an increased rate of a wide range of diseases. More than 90% of the worldwide population breathes unhealthy air. Particulate matter can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream and potentially affect every organ. This can cause cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancers, and asthma.

air pollution

Infographic credit: Air pollution - the silent killer, WHO 2018

Food Systems

It is estimated that one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions are generated by our food chain systems alone. On the other hand, seven in ten deaths worldwide are caused by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Considering the synergistic health-related effects of foods and nutrition, we are aware that consuming highly processed, unhealthy foods and beverages is driving a wave of obesity and type II diabetes, increasing cancer and heart disease. It is believed that most NCDs can be prevented by changes in diet patterns. Healthier food systems should be a significant public health concern, encouraging unprocessed or minimally processed food consumption, and dietary policies and guidelines could also help limit air pollution and its related health concerns. Reduction of carbon emissions through climate mitigation and adaptation is essential to decreasing health risks for both the environment and our communities.

Key facts

  • 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable environmental causes
  • Air pollution kills 13 people every minute due to lung cancer, heart disease and strokes
  • 3.6 billion people around the world don’t have safe toilets
  • 25% of the world’s population don’t have access to safe drinking water 
  • 829 000 death each year are related to diarrhoeal diseases caused by polluted water and poor sanitation
  • 600 million trees and more than 8 million people are killed by tobacco each year

- WHO, 2022

who WHD

How can I get involved?

“In the process of helping the earth to heal, we help ourselves. If we see the earth bleeding from the loss of topsoil, biodiversity, or drought and desertification, and if we help reclaim or save what is lost… the planet will help us in our self-healing and indeed survival.” - Replenishing the Earth, Wangari Maathai

WHO’s recommended actions for 'Reimagine your world for a #HealthierTomorrow' for health workers and health facilities:

  • Support efforts to reduce health care waste.
  • Provide sustainably grown local food and ensure healthy food choices by reducing sodas and highly processed and packaged food in health facilities.
  • Decarbonize health facilities.
  • Identify opportunities to save energy.
  • Ensure safe clean water at health facilities.
  • Support purchase of environmentally friendly products that are easily recyclable or reusable.
  • Advocate for health to be at the centre of climate change policies

CSH resources and programmes

CSH has a range of programmes to equip healthcare professionals and organisations with methods and metrics for sustainable models of care:

  • Sustainable Specialties Programme assists clinicians in each specialty to develop research skills, leadership, and engagement with patients, clinical bodies and industry to ensure change at local and national levels
  • Carbon Footprinting Programme analyses the direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions of organisations, products and services, as well as triple bottom line analyses which take into account social, financial, and environmental impacts
  • Education and Training Programme offers training in sustainable healthcare and planetary health for health professionals in educational institutions, professional bodies and healthcare organisations
  • Sustainability in Quality Improvement framework offers a holistic approach to improving healthcare by assessing quality and value through the lens of a “triple bottom line”
  • The Green Ward Competition transforms healthcare by cutting carbon, improving patient care & staff experience and saving money
  • Green Space for Health Programme improves the quality and use of green space at healthcare sites for patients, staff and the wider community
  • Sustainable Healthcare Peer Networks provide a space for collaboration in clinical specialties

Events

Guest Author

Sara Lemaitre

Sara is a holistic health student with an interest in Sustainability and Ecology. Combining education with creativity to connect people and nature.