World Environmental Health Day: Prioritising healthier communities

World Environmental Health Day 2021: On the one hand, the Covid-19 pandemic has taken numerous lives and caused economic hardships the world over. On the other hand climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and other environmental challenges have only made the problems worse.

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Observed on 26th September each year, the World Environmental Health Day aims at highlighting the various environmental issues being faced by the world. The day was first established in 2011 by the International Federation of Environmental Health.

There exists a major link between climate change and the determinants of health. As per the World Health Organisation, between 2030 and 2050, climate change may lead to around 250,000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress.

This year the theme is, Prioritising Environmental Health for healthier communities in global recovery. As we recover from the pandemic it is important that investments are not only made in the health sectors but also towards avoiding environmental degradation and pollution.

In addition, environmental departments must take steps to educate communities on issues like water management, climate change mitigation, land use planning and chemical exposure.

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