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Environment and health

    Overview

    The environment is a major determinant of health, estimated to account for almost 20% of all deaths in the WHO European Region.

    WHO response

    In 1989, concerned about the growing evidence of the impact of hazardous environments on human health, WHO/Europe initiated the first ever environment and health process, towards a broad primary prevention public health approach, and to facilitate intersectoral policy-making.

    Collaboration between different sectors is crucial to protect human health from the risks of a hazardous or contaminated environment. Through its European Centre on Environment and Health, WHO/Europe brings many players together with Member States to tackle central environment and health issues.

    Multimedia

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    Our work

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    Publications

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    Cross-border public health in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion: applying a cross-border lens to the Essential Public Health Functions Framework

    This report focuses on public health in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion (‎EMR)‎, more specifically the border areas between Belgium, Germany and Netherlands...

    Eleventh meeting of the Working Group on Health in Climate Change of the European Environment and Health Task Force: meeting report: virtual session, 29 October 2024

    On 29 October 2024, the Working Group on Health in Climate Change (‎HIC)‎ of the European Environment and Health Task Force convened virtually...

    Documents

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    This document summarizes the key evidence of the multiple links between climate change and health in Europe and central Asia. It was produced to provide...

    This document summarizes key evidence relevant to the climate change threats to human health in the WHO European Region. It provides key messages about...

    Related WHO collaborating centres

    WHO collaborating centres are institutions that form an international collaborative network carrying out activities to support WHO’s programmes at all levels. They provide an opportunity for WHO to utilize their inherent expertise for the benefit of all Member States.

    View the list of related collaborating centres