2016-05-13-世界卫生组织-HECA_-_Newsletter_April_2016_10页_174kb

Summary of April 2016 Newsletter on Children's Environmental Health

This newsletter, published by WHO and UNEP, covers key international initiatives and updates on environmental health issues affecting children, focusing on risks from household energy, air pollution, climate change, and chemical exposures.

• Household Energy and Health: Polluting fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting cause significant health risks, with women and children disproportionately affected, such as through exposure to household air pollution and fuel collection tasks. WHO and UNICEF announced an alliance to promote early childhood development and clean energy for equitable health improvements.

• Climate Change and Greenhouse Gases: Climate change exacerbates health issues, particularly for vulnerable groups. Amendments to the Montreal Protocol aim to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to limit global warming. The Paris Agreement provides an opportunity to address environmental risks while advancing sustainable development goals.

• Urban Health and Inequality: Urban health inequities, including disparities in child wellbeing in high-income countries, are highlighted. New WHO guidelines reduce sugar intake to combat obesity, and urban health reports emphasize the need for healthier environments in cities.

• Nutrition and Water Safety: UN's Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025) focuses on reducing malnutrition and improving water safety. Cases include efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis in the Mekong region and concerns over arsenic in drinking water in Bangladesh, linked to high mortality rates.

• Radiation and Chemical Risks: Pediatric radiation risk communication tools support informed decision-making in healthcare. Pollutants like phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and heavy metals from e-waste are linked to adverse health outcomes in children, such as obesity, developmental issues, and DNA damage. E-waste recycling poses health risks in regions like Southern Africa and Bangladesh.

• Global Events and Policies: Upcoming conferences and initiatives address e-waste management, exercise during pregnancy, and climate change impacts on health. Climate change is warned to pose greater threats than polio, with greater risks for pregnant women, children, and low-income populations. Denmark and other countries face water crises due to climate-related droughts.

The summary underscores the urgent need for targeted investments in clean energy, pollution control, and sustainable policies to protect children's health globally.