2022-06-07-世界卫生组织-Environmental_Health_Malaysia_2022_country_profile_2页_177kb

Malaysia Health and Environment Scorecard Summary

Core Content Overview

The Malaysia Health and Environment Scorecard evaluates the country's performance in key areas related to health and environmental challenges. It focuses on air pollution, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and climate change, providing data on the extent of the problem, health impact, and existing policies.

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Air Pollution

Extent of the Problem

• Malaysia's annual mean PM2.5 concentration is 17 μg/m³, which is 3 times the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline value of 5 μg/m³.
• The number of days with high PM2.5 levels is not explicitly stated, but the data suggests a significant deviation from WHO standards.

Health Impact

• 14% of deaths from stroke and ischaemic heart disease are attributed to air pollution.
• Air pollution causes a wide range of diseases and adverse health outcomes, though stroke and ischaemic heart disease are highlighted in this scorecard.

Policies

• Legal standards for PM2.5 exist, but the scorecard notes that Malaysia is not compliant with WHO Air Quality Guidelines.
• There is a national policy on household energy, which aims to address the use of clean fuels and technologies for cooking.
• No data is provided on the implementation or effectiveness of these policies.

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Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

Extent of the Problem

• 6% of the population lacks access to safe drinking water.
• The percentage of the population without safe sanitation is not provided, but it is implied to be significant given the health impact data.

Health Impact

• 26% of deaths from diarrhoea are attributed to unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and inadequate personal hygiene.
• The health burden from these issues is substantial, particularly in rural areas.

Policies

• Financial resources are available for the implementation of national WASH plans, but specific data on urban and rural access is missing.
• There are national policies in place for drinking water and hygiene, but no data is provided on their implementation or effectiveness.

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Climate Change

Extent of the Problem

• Under a high emissions scenario (RCP8.5), 175 "warm spell" days are projected for 2050.
• A "warm spell" day is defined as a day when the maximum temperature, along with at least six consecutive previous days, exceeds the 90th percentile threshold for that time of year.

Health Impact

• 1,537 additional heat-related deaths are projected in 2050 compared to the 1961-1990 period.
• The number of heat-related deaths increased from 0 per year before 1990 to 22 in 2050.

Policies

• Malaysia has a national health and climate change plan or strategy.
• The analysis was conducted by the Climatic Research Unit and Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in 2015.

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Key Information and Insights

• Air pollution is a major issue in Malaysia, with PM2.5 levels far exceeding WHO guidelines.
• The health impact of air pollution is significant, particularly in terms of stroke and ischaemic heart disease.
• WASH challenges are also present, with a notable percentage of the population lacking access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
• Climate change is expected to increase the number of warm spell days and heat-related deaths, indicating a growing health risk.
• While policies exist in all three areas, the implementation and effectiveness are not well documented, and data gaps are a recurring issue.

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Conclusion

Malaysia faces significant challenges in managing air pollution, WASH, and climate change. Although policies are in place, the lack of data on their implementation and the health impact of these issues highlight the need for greater transparency and action. Addressing these environmental and health concerns is crucial for improving public health outcomes and ensuring sustainable development.