2022-03-13-世界卫生组织-HECA_-_Newsletter_January-February_2022_7页_157kb

Children's Environmental Health International Initiatives Summary

WHO and the U.S. EPA signed a five-year MOU to enhance collaboration on environment and health issues, focusing on air pollution, water sanitation, and climate change impacts.

The first WHO report on adolescent health highlights that COVID-19 has disrupted adolescent health gains, leading to lifelong effects such as reduced access to health services and increased preventable deaths. Data shows over 2000 adolescents die daily from health issues, reflecting inequities in global health systems.

Globally, 2.6 billion people lack access to clean cooking fuels, with polluting stoves causing millions of premature deaths from heart diseases and cancers by 2030. WHO data emphasize the need for rapid scaling up of clean cooking solutions to meet universal access goals.

New investigations reveal air pollution's link to increased autism spectrum disorder risk in children, with stronger associations in boys. Prenatal exposure to pollutants like metals and chemicals is associated with neurobehavioral issues, delayed brain development, and conditions such as ADHD and asthma.

Research underscores the risks of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like BPA and PFAS, found in high levels in everyday products, contributing to肥胖、respiratory problems, and developmental delays. Nearly 75% of water-resistant products contain toxic PFAS, urging safer alternatives.

Climate change exacerbates child health issues, including faster baby weight gain, premature birth, and increased hospital admissions. A U.N. Expert warns that pollution, including plastics and electronic waste, causes more deaths than COVID-19 and calls for immediate action to phase out toxic chemicals.

Studies highlight environmental injustices, such as high lead levels in Haiti, impacting cardiovascular and developmental health. Chemical pollution violates human rights and threatens planetary stability, with 9 million premature deaths annually.

Efforts include promoting health-promoting schools and addressing environmental equity. Upcoming events and resources, like webinars on health equity and racism's impact on child health, aim to drive policy changes and public awareness.