2022-12-17-世界卫生组织-HECA_-_Newsletter_November-December_2022_7页_178kb

Summary of Children's Environmental Health International Initiatives (November/December 2022)

Core Content

The document highlights various international initiatives and research findings related to children's environmental health, emphasizing the impact of pollutants, climate change, and toxic exposures on child development and well-being. It includes information from WHO, UNICEF, academic journals, and media sources, covering topics such as air and water pollution, heavy metals, climate-related hazards, and social inequalities.

Main Points

1. WHO Initiatives

• CBDE OpenWHO Courses: WHO launched free, open online courses to educate healthcare professionals on managing consequences of chemical and biological deliberate events (CBDEs). These events pose significant risks to public health and require preparedness and response strategies.
• Clinician Information Sheets: WHO developed information sheets to raise awareness among clinicians about environmental health risks to children, particularly non-communicable diseases like obesity, allergies, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

2. UNICEF Reports

• Children's Climate Risk Index (CCRI): UNICEF released the CCRI for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, focusing on Egypt. It found that 5.3 million children are exposed to heatwaves, with an estimated 86 million children in the region at high risk of climate change impacts.
• Floods and Child Vulnerability: UNICEF reported that 27.7 million children in 27 countries were affected by record-breaking floods, facing risks like drowning, disease outbreaks, and malnutrition.

3. Air Pollution and Health

• PM2.5 and Stillbirths: A study estimated that 39.7% of stillbirths in 137 countries are attributable to PM2.5 exposure above the reference level of 10 µg/m³.
• PM2.5 and Child Growth in East Africa: Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 was linked to a 9% higher risk of stunting in young children in East Africa.
• Air Pollution in Dhaka, Bangladesh: High air pollution levels in Dhaka were associated with increased rates of preterm births (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW).
• Phthalate Exposure and Asthma: A study found that phthalate exposure in childhood may increase the risk of asthma.
• Flame Retardants and Anxiety: In utero exposure to flame retardants like PBDEs was associated with increased anxiety symptoms in adolescents.

4. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

• Diarrhea and WASH Access in Senegal: Poor access to safe water and sanitation was significantly linked to higher rates of diarrhea in children under 5 in Senegal.
• Mould Exposure in the UK: A coroner's report linked the death of a two-year-old to prolonged exposure to black mould in his home, highlighting the need for better air quality reporting in housing.

5. Heavy Metals and Contaminants

• Mahanadi River Sediments, India: Heavy metal contamination in sediments was found to pose a mild carcinogenic risk to children, particularly from chromium exposure.
• Public Water Contamination in the US: Hispanic/Latino and American Indian communities in the US were found to have significantly higher concentrations of arsenic and uranium in public water systems.

6. Climate Change and Children's Health

• Hurricane Harvey and Child Health: A study found that children in flooded areas after Hurricane Harvey experienced worse health outcomes, especially in immigrant communities.
• Toxic Winter in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: The city's air pollution, driven by coal burning and geographic conditions, is described as a form of "slow violence," with severe health impacts on children.

7. Social Inequality and Health

• Social Inequalities and Respiratory Health: A study in South Poland showed that social inequalities, such as poverty and low education, significantly affect the frequency of respiratory symptoms, asthma, and bronchitis in children.
• Immigration Policies and Child Health: Hostile immigration policies in the US have increased risks for children in immigrant families, including exposure to toxic stress and limited access to medical care.

Key Information

• Global Reach: The issues discussed are not limited to specific regions but have global implications, affecting children in both developed and developing countries.
• Health Impacts: Environmental pollutants like PM2.5, PFAS, and phthalates are linked to a range of health problems, including stillbirths, stunting, asthma, and anxiety.
• Climate Change: Climate-related disasters such as heatwaves and floods are increasingly affecting children, with long-term consequences on health and development.
• Social Justice: Social inequalities play a critical role in environmental health outcomes, with marginalized communities facing higher exposure risks and poorer health outcomes.
• Policy and Advocacy: There is a growing call for policy changes, including better housing conditions, improved air and water quality, and the development of a Global Plastics Treaty to protect human rights.

Events and Resources

• NCCEH Webinar Series: The National Children's Environmental Health Summit (NCCEH) offers webinars on environmental health topics.
• CEHN Newsletter: The Children's Environmental Health Network provides resources on healthy holiday giving, avoiding harmful chemicals in toys, and tools for frontline clinics to build climate resilience.

Conclusion

The document underscores the urgent need for global attention to environmental health issues affecting children. It highlights the role of international organizations like WHO and UNICEF in addressing these challenges, as well as the importance of understanding the intersection between environmental exposures, social inequalities, and child health.