Healthy environments for healthier populations: Why do they matter, and what can we do?

Overview

Globally, 23% of all deaths could be prevented through healthier environments – and scaled-up action is required. This document presents an overview of sectoral actions that can be taken by various actors – and the support that is being offered by the World Health Organization – to create healthier environments, including in priority settings such as workplaces, cities, dwellings, health care facilities, and emergency settings. Key risk areas are addressed, such as air pollution; water, sanitation and hygiene; chemical safety and radiation; and climate change.

The actions presented provide an initial overview and overall policy directions and refer to more detailed information for the next steps. They focus on intersectoral collaboration between a wide range of partners – international organizations, governments, and national and subnational actors – to create safe, enabling and equitable environments for better health and a more sustainable future.

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