In the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals, WHO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) produce the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury (WHO/ILO Joint Estimates). The WHO/ILO Joint Estimates quantify the population exposed to occupational risk factors and amount of health loss caused by these exposures. Global, regional and national estimates are produced of the numbers of deaths and disability-adjusted life years that can be attributed to exposure to selected occupational risk factors. The WHO/ILO Joint Estimates are produced disaggregated by sex and age group. They can be used to monitor the work-related burden of disease and to identify, plan, cost, implement and evaluate interventions to reduce exposure to occupational risk factors.
Monitoring
Introduction
In the area of health and environment, WHO is making available the following data:
- SDG indicators, for which WHO is the custodian agency;
- Data on people’s exposure to environmental risks (exposure data);
- Data on how exposure to environmental risks causes disease or deaths (health impact estimates)1;
- Data on policy implementation to tackle environmental risks and to improve health.
These data are most often available by country, and are sometimes further disaggregated.
1 Information on methods for health impacts estimates can be found here.
Health and Environment Country Scorecards
"Taking action to reduce environmental risks to health is crucial, as it can prevent 24% of all deaths globally.
The Health and environment scorecards aim to provide a quick snapshot of where countries stand on managing six major environmental threats to health: air pollution, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), climate change, exposure to chemicals, radiation, and occupational health. They can assist policy makers to identify priorities and areas in great need of attention and resources.
SDG indicators in the area of health and environment monitored by WHO
6.1.1 Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services
6.2.1 Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services, including a handwashing facility with soap and water
6.3.1 Proportion of wastewater safely treated
6.a.1 Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan
6.b.1 Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management
Further information on methods and projects
The burden of disease that is caused by an environmental risk can be estimated using a standardized approach –called comparative risk assessment. It is based on the exposure to the risk factor in the population and a measure from a comprehensive analysis of the available evidence of how this exposure translates into health outcomes. The population attributable fraction (PAF) – the proportion of the disease burden that could have been prevented by removing the risk factor or reducing it to a counterfactual level – is calculated from these two inputs (population exposure and exposure-response relationship between exposure and disease). As a last step, the PAF is applied to the total disease burden of a disease, expressed in deaths or DALYs.
Publications
Preventing disease through healthy environments: a global assessment of the burden of disease from environmental...
The main message emerging from this new comprehensive global assessment is that premature death and disease can be prevented through healthier...
WHO/ILO joint estimates of the work-related burden of disease and injury, 2000-2016: global monitoring...
This monitoring report presents the joint estimates of the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization of the global, regional...
This updated version of the compendium provides a systematic compilation of published guidance from WHO and other UN organizations on health and environment....
Healthy environments for healthier populations: Why do they matter, and what can we do?
Globally, 23% of all deaths could be prevented through healthier environments – and scaled-up action is required. This document presents an overview...
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