Küsimustik
| Dokumendiregister | Sotsiaalministeerium |
| Viit | 1.4-5/1242-1 |
| Registreeritud | 07.05.2025 |
| Sünkroonitud | 08.05.2025 |
| Liik | Sissetulev kiri |
| Funktsioon | 1.4 EL otsustusprotsess ja rahvusvaheline koostöö |
| Sari | 1.4-5 Rahvusvahelistele organisatsioonidele saadetavad aruanded ja küsimustikud (sotsiaalharta, sotsiaalkindlustuskoodeksi jm aruanded) (Arhiiviväärtuslik) |
| Toimik | 1.4-5/2025 |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | Avalik |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | |
| Adressaat | WHO |
| Saabumis/saatmisviis | WHO |
| Vastutaja | Helen Sõber (Sotsiaalministeerium, Kantsleri vastutusvaldkond, Euroopa Liidu ja väliskoostöö osakond) |
| Originaal | Ava uues aknas |
Failid
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga. |
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga. |
To:
Members of the European Environment and Health Task Force;
WHO National Counterparts;
Cc:
WHO Representatives and Heads of WHO Country Offices in the European Region;
WHO Secretariat;
Dear colleagues,
The Sixty-eight World Health Assembly (2015) urged Member States to identify, address, and prevent the health impacts of air pollution through targeted, multisectoral measures in accordance with national priorities in its resolution on Health and Environment (WHA 68.8). In 2016, the World Health Assembly adopted the Road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution for 2016-2019, as a framework for the health sector actions. The updated road map for 2025-2030 was discussed at the 156th Executive Board session in February 2025 and is expected to be adopted at the forthcoming World Health Assembly.
Taking into consideration these policy developments and to provide tailored support to Member States needs in addressing the health effects of air pollution, WHO has developed a Regional Consultation Survey Questionnaire for Member States. The purpose of the survey is to gather feedback on the Updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution, and to identify priorities and challenges for implementation.
The attached document is the Regional Consultation Survey Questionnaire. It consists of six multiple-choice questions and one subjective question and will take an estimated 20 to 30 minutes to complete. The involvement of Member States in the adoption and implementation of the Road map is of great importance and therefore we welcome comments from your country. We would greatly appreciate receiving your input by 13 May 2025 directly to the Air Quality, Energy and Health Unit at the WHO headquarters in Geneva ([email protected]) with a copy to ([email protected]).
We are also pleased to invite you to join the Pledge of Actions on Air Pollution and Energy Access to Protect Public Health to drive ambition and action to tackle the health, environmental, and socioeconomic impacts of air pollution, as recommended by the WHO Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, 25-27 March 2025. We kindly request you to circulate this initiative with relevant organizations, agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders to take transformative action for clean air in all countries.
Yours sincerely,
On behalf of the EHP Secretariat
---
EHP Secretariat
| Multisectoral Partnerships for Environment and Health (MPE)
WHO Regional Office for Europe | European Centre for Environment and Health | Bonn, Germany
E-mail: [email protected]|
Web: European Environment and Health Process (EHP)
Updated Road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution (2025-2030)
2015 WHA Resolution on Air Pollution and Health
2016 Road Map for enhanced global response to air pollution
Road Map Framework & Structure
I. Background on process
II. Voluntary Target
III. Contextual relevance
IV. Defining framework for health sector response
V. Four categories of actions for Member States
VI. WHO Secretariat Support
VII. Annex – Summary figures of actions, outputs and outcomes for tackling
Voluntary Target included in EB156/24 Updated road map for enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution
“50% reduction in the population-attributable fraction of morality from anthropogenic sources of air pollution by 2040, relative to 2015 baseline values.”
Voluntary Target included in EB156/24 Updated road map for enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution
“50% reduction in the population-attributable fraction of morality from anthropogenic sources of air pollution by 2040, relative to 2015 baseline values.”
Voluntary Target - Rationale & monitoring • Target is relative in recognition that countries have different baselines, and local
contexts and sources.
• Target aims to align with other global or regional efforts addressing air quality
• Progress will be monitored by looking the changes in health impacts from fine particulate matter (i.e. PM2.5) at country level and aggregated for global estimate
• Demographic changes will be accounted for in the modelling approaches used currently for harmonized reporting.
• Those countries already achieving annual averages equivalent to the WHO guideline interim-target 4 (i.e., 10 µg/m3) should continue making progress toward reducing air pollution but a 50% reduction may not be feasible.
The updated road map is organized into four categories:
Knowledge and evidence
Institutional Capacity- strengthening
Global leadership and coordination
7
Measuring progress
Knowledge and evidence
8
• Build, synthesize, disseminate evidence and knowledge on the impacts of air pollution on health, and on the effectiveness of sectoral interventions
• Identifies synergies with climate change mitigation • Identifies knowledge gaps, and promotes innovation and research • Evaluations of cost-effectiveness and cost–benefit of sectoral
interventions for health benefits and other impacts
Knowledge and evidence
9
1. Governments develop or adapt air quality standards to align with WHO Air Quality Guideline levels and interim targets at country and city- level
Actions Outputs Outcomes
2. Governments invest and use synthesised and translated health evidence in policy and programmatic decision-making including cost- effective analysis of different interventions across sectors
3. Government institutions with the support of civil society organizations disseminate evidence to the population on air pollution health risks and measures for reducing exposure
1. Air quality standards are in place and regularly updated to reflect the current knowledge on health risks from air pollution
2. Established network of researchers (e.g., International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, WHO collaborating centres) and medical societies, both local and global, engaged in deriving evidence on health risk, local sources of air pollution and effectiveness of interventions
3. Data, information and public health guidance on health risks from air pollution, especially for vulnerable populations is made publicly available
Health knowledge: MS are equipped with knowledge and health evidence to inform decision-making across all sectors to maximize health and multiple benefits of air pollution reductions, with particular consideration of equity and vulnerable populations
Measuring progress
10
• Proposes enhancing monitoring systems, structures and process to better assess and monitor the health impacts of air pollution exposure, and the lack of access to clean energy in the home and the health care facility
• Highlights importance of identifying sources of health-damaging pollutants for informing policy
• Emphasizes synergies of measuring progress with efforts to monitor sustainable development goals and other global initiatives and targets
11
1. Utilize health-based guidance, initiate, update and/or expand air quality monitoring network(s) to ensure routine and official data collection on air pollution levels for monitoring health impacts as well as reporting on global indicators like the Sustainable Development Goals indicators
Health data: MS have established baselines and an official and routine monitoring network in place which is used to evaluate and adapt policy measure to tackle air pollution and reduce inequalities
2. Integrate indicators and metrics for monitoring health impacts of air pollution into health data and public health surveillance systems at the city and country-level.
3. Governments in partnership with environmental and meteorological institutions routinely publish data on air pollution levels, health impacts and when possible paired with source attribution (e.g. household energy use, transport)
1. Established, maintained and sustained official monitoring network of air quality levels for health risk evaluation
2. Health data systems and surveillance networks are strengthened to account for health risks from air pollution
3. Data on air pollution and health burden are publicly available and disseminated
Actions Outputs Outcomes
Measuring progress
Institutional capacity- strengthening
12
Focus on building the capacity of the health sector: • To understand, analyse and influence policy and decision-making
processes related to air pollution and health using health evidence, tools and resources to inform and engage, particularly with other sectors
• Provide advice and guidance to patients and the community on air pollution as a health risk
• Integrate air pollution control actions into NCD, maternal child and adolescent health strategies and other related health promotion activities
13
1. Integrate information on air pollution and health risk into health professional training, medical school and paraprofessional curricula and trainings
Institutional Capacity Strengthening
2. Invest in the health system response to ensure an adequate number of trained health professionals are available to respond to air pollution health impacts, in particular for long-term effects
3. Invest in human capacity within the health sector to utilize a primary health care approach to address air pollution as a key determinant of health
1. Health professionals are trained and capable to advise patients on protection from air pollution exposure
2. Health systems are prepared to respond to air pollution episodes using enhanced surveillance techniques
3. Health professionals are engaged and able to utilize health impact assessment and other information resources and guidance to inform multisectoral decision- making
Health competency: All key stakeholders including health, environment, energy and other sector actors are aware of and able to build evidence-based health arguments in the context of action on air pollution, climate change and the energy transition
Actions Outputs Outcomes
Global leadership and coordination
14
• Highlights the importance of health sector leadership and coordinated action to protect public health from air pollution and lack of clean energy access
• Emphasizes the opportunities and aligning with global processes and synergistic efforts (e.g., climate change, biodiversity), particularly in light of the transboundary nature of air pollution
• Promotes the use of strategic communication for the integration of air pollution in broader disease prevention and development efforts
15
1. Governments allocate adequate capacity, e.g., focal point within the Ministry of Health, and resources to ensure the health sector is actively engaged and providing the evidence in of other sectors decision-making
2. Engage and promote health messaging and campaigns, e.g., BreatheLife, for air pollution reduction for health benefits, with the support of key stakeholders
3. Harness the capacity of the health sector to produce and use evidence and data to engage and influence multilateral agreements, processes and initiatives
1.Heatlh professionals are advocates and driving decision-making in different sectors to account for health risks and benefits from air pollution mitigation
2. Health professionals are leaders in the global community raising awareness on clean air for public health protection and highlighting relevant issues such as air pollution hot spots, risks for vulnerable populations and solutions like clean household energy use.
3. Health impacts of air pollution are accounted for in climate change policies, e.g., NDCs, economic, development and environmental decision-making at the global, national and regional level
Health leadership: Health professionals engage decision-makers at the local, national and regional level to ensure health considerations from clean air are integrated in policy and programmes.
Actions Outputs Outcomes
Global leadership and coordination
WHO Secretariat Support
16
Outlines various ongoing and envisioned work of the WHO Secretariat to support MS governments in their efforts to tackle air pollution. Some highlights include:
• Provide normative guidance and implementation support to countries • Engage with experts to synthesize and disseminate evidence • Support routinely harmonized data collection on relevant indicators • Provisions of tools and resources for training health care professionals • Support health sector scale up clean energy in health care facilities • Convening and coordination with UN partners, academia, and civil society • Support strategic communication efforts (e.g., Breathelife Campaign)
Process status and next Steps
17
Below are next steps: • EB156 agreed to ‘adopt’ the updated road map on 10 February 2025 • WHO Secretariat to continue with MS information sessions until WHA78.
These sessions will be typically arranged via WHO regional offices. • Their purpose is to further inform MS about the road map and gather
feedback on priorities and challenges for MS. Understanding priorities will help WHO Secretariat tailor support to MS needs.
• WHO Secretariat is asked to report back to the WHA in 2030 on the progress to implement the updated road map.
https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB1 56/B156_24-en.pdf
Thank you.
18
Heather Adair-Rohani Unit Head, ai
Air Quality, Energy and Health Unit
WHO HQ
Member State Survey
There is strong scientific evidence that air pollution has adverse health effects and that any reduction in air pollution will bring public health benefits.
Air pollution has been recognized by the UN General Assembly as the 5th risk factor for non-communicable diseases, and is an important risk negatively impacting the health and development of children throughout the life course.
Air pollution is a key health risk for all for which the health sector has a key role to play. However the health sector cannot tackle air pollution alone. Addressing the health risks of air pollution requires multi-sectoral coordination and action, as well as high-level political support.
The EB156/24 Updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution provides a framework for strengthened health sector engagement to tackle air pollution. It uses a primary health care approach, promoting multisectoral policy and action while at the same time leveraging the trusted voice of health professionals to empower individuals, families and communities to protect their health and well-being from air pollution and the lack of energy access in the home. It also includes an ambitious but attainable voluntary target to help drive action and ensure greater accountability.
The road map itself is comprehensive covering nearly all of the WHO Secretariat’s activities (including HQ, WHO Regional Offices, WHO Country Offices) to support MS and other stakeholders protect public health from air pollution and the lack of clean household energy access. The accompanying costing exercise presented at the EB156 was based on current levels of staffing and activities and aims to be a realistic estimate of what is implementable in the near-term. Financing solutions to tackle the health risks from air pollution is always a challenge, as it requires long-term investment and sustained high-level political commitment by governments, and other partners. WHO Secretariat has and will continue to work to mobilize resources and provide the support the health sector leadership in countries and regions to protect public health from air pollution.
The WHO Secretariat would like to hear from you. Below is a brief survey seeking general feedback on EB156/24 Updated road map including identifying which areas of actions and outputs are priorities for your country, as well as what are some of the challenges for implementation. We would kindly ask you to complete as many of the questions as possible and please do let us know if you have any comments or questions. Also please note, the annex from the draft road map which summarizes key actions, outputs and outcomes is included as annex in this survey for ease of reference.
Survey (estimated 20 to 30 minutes to complete)
1. The draft road map and its annex provides four strategic categories1 of health sector actions to tackle air pollution and energy access for public health protection. From your country's perspective, please rank the top three priorities areas for your country, where 1 is the highest priority compared to the others.
a. ____ Knowledge and evidence
b. ____ Measuring progress
c. ____ Institutional capacity-strengthening
d. ____ Global leadership and coordination
e. ____ All our equal priorities for my country, at this moment
f. ____ None are a priority for my country, at this moment
2. Which “actions” (see Annex) listed in the road map are currently a priority for your country? Please mark all that apply.
Knowledge and Evidence
a. ____ Develop or adapt air quality standards to align with WHO air quality guideline levels and interim targets at country and city levels
b. ____ Invest in and use synthesized and translated health evidence in policy and programmatic decision-making including economic analysis to compare costs and benefits of different interventions across sectors
c. ____ Institutions with the support of civil society organizations disseminate evidence to the population on air pollution health risks and measures for reducing exposures
Measuring Progress
d. ____ Utilize health-based guidance, initiate, update and/or expand air quality monitoring networks to ensure routine and official data collection on air pollution levels for monitoring health impacts as well as reporting on global indicators like the SDG indicators
e. ____ Integrate indicators and metrics for monitoring health impacts on air pollution into health data and public health surveillance systems at the city and country level
f. ____ In partnership with environmental and meteorological institutions, routinely publish data on air pollution levels and health impacts, with source attribution (e.g. household energy use, transport) when possible.
Institutional capacity strengthening
g. ____ Integrate information on air pollution and health risk into health professional, medical school and paraprofessional curricula and training courses
h. ____ Invest in the health system response to ensure an adequate number of trained health professionals are available to respond to air pollution health impacts, in particular for long-term effects
i. ____ Invest in human capacity within the health sector to utilize a primary healthcare approach to address air pollution as a key determinant of health.
Global leadership and coordination
j. ____ Allocate adequate capacity (e.g. a focal point within the ministry of health and resources to ensure the health sector is actively engaged and providing evidence for decision-making of other sectors)
k. ____ Engage and promote health messaging and campaigns (e.g. Breathelife campaign) for air pollution reductions for health benefits, with the support of key stakeholders
l. ____ Harness the capacity of the health sector to produce and use evidence and data to engage and influence multilateral agreements, processes and initiatives.
m. ____ Consider long-range transport of air pollutants and its contribution to exposure and to health effects and promote international dialogues to address the issue.
3. In view of the answers above, which of these are the top 3 priority ‘actions' your country would need WHO’s support and the WHO secretariat should focus on? Please list the letters listed next to the top 3 actions you have selected below.
4. Which output(s) (see annex) is your country prioritizing at this moment? Please indicate whether work on the output is planned, in process or complete by ticking the appropriate column and line with the output.
Knowledge and Evidence
Planned
Ongoing
Completed or established
Air quality standards are in place and regularly updated to reflect the current knowledge on health risks from air pollution
Established network of researchers and medical societies engaged in deriving evidence on health risk, sources of air pollution is made publicly available
Data information and public health guidance on health risks from air pollution, especially for vulnerable populations is made publicly available.
Measuring Progress
Official monitoring network of air quality levels for health risks evaluation is established, maintained and sustained
Health data systems and surveillance networks are strengthened to account for health risks from air pollution
Data on air pollution and health burden are publicly available and disseminated
Institutional Capacity-Strengthening
Health professionals are trained and competent to advise patients on protection for air pollution exposure
Health systems are prepared to respond to air pollution episodes using enhanced surveillance techniques
Health professionals are engaged and able to utilize health impact assessment and other information resources and guidance to inform multisetoral decision-making
Global leadership and coordination
Health professionals are advocates and drive decision-making in different sector for health risks and benefits from air pollution mitigation
Health professionals are leaders in the global community, raising awareness on clean air for public health protection and highlighting relevant issues such as air pollution hot spots, risk for vulnerable populations and solutions such as clean household energy use
Health impacts of air pollution are accounted for in climate change policies, economic, development and environmental decision-making at national level
5. Does this road map serve as a useful guide to support the health sector in your country engage in multisectoral decision-making on issues related to air pollution or energy access impacting public health?
a. ____ Yes
b. ____ No
c. ____ Somewhat (comment):
6. What, if any, are the major challenges for your country to implement this road map? Please rank all those that apply where 1 is your largest challenge for implementation?
a. ____ Institutional Capacity: Limited technical capacity within the ministry of health or related public health institutions to engage and integrate public health protection in sectoral decision-making impacting air quality, and/or energy access.
b. ____ Institutional Capacity: Limited technical capacity in other ministries and institutions to consider health in policy and programmatic decision-making related to air quality and energy access.
c. ____ Institutional Capacity: limited training and education opportunities for health professionals to learn about the health risks of air pollution and available solutions to protect health
d. ____ Institutional capacity: Limited knowledge and technical capacity for routine monitoring of air quality levels and health impacts
e. ____ Leadership and coordination: Limited and/or inconsistent high-level political commitment needed for sustained actions to address the public health impacts of air pollution at local, national, and international level.
f. ____ Leadership and coordination: Limited legislation on air quality and general governance that could facilitate implementation and or sustained actions (whenever lack of political support).
g. ____ Leadership and coordination: Lack of internal coordination mechanisms and/or governance to facilitate health sector engagement in multi-sectoral decision-making on issues impacting air quality like energy production, industry, land-use, transport, household energy use, waste management, etc.
h. ____ Leadership and coordination: Lack of assets and technical products to raise awareness about the health impacts of air pollution and lack of energy access.
i. ____ Finance: Limited financial resources for dedicated staff in ministry of health or national public health institutions to effectively contribute to the development and/or to implementation of policies or programmes impacting air pollution and health
j. ____ Finance: Limited government financial resources for the establishment and maintenance of an official monitoring network or system on air quality and health impacts
k. ____ Finance: Limited financial resources for advocacy, outreach and awareness-raising activities within the community and among policy-makers on the health impacts of air pollution and the lack of energy access
l. ____ Finance: Limited financial resources for knowledge strengthening and capacity-building activities for health professionals on air pollution and health issues
7. Please list any other key challenges your county may be facing in addressing the health impacts of air pollution below.
*End of survey, thank you for your time. If you have additional comments or questions on the draft road map, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Heather Adair-Rohani at WHO HQ Secretariat ([email protected]) or your respective WHO regional office environmental focal point.
Annex
ROAD MAP FOR AN ENHANCED GLOBAL RESPONSE TO THE ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION
The road map for the period 2025–2030 is represented in the figures below, which depict the sequence of actions, output and proposed outcomes of this road map as a guide to governments, particularly health sector institutions and authorities. Figures 1–4 focus on the four relevant activities: expanding the knowledge and evidence base, monitoring and reporting, institutional capacity strengthening and global leadership and coordination.
Updated Road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution (2025-2030)
2015 WHA Resolution on Air Pollution and Health
2016 Road Map for enhanced global response to air pollution
Road Map Framework & Structure
I. Background on process
II. Voluntary Target
III. Contextual relevance
IV. Defining framework for health sector response
V. Four categories of actions for Member States
VI. WHO Secretariat Support
VII. Annex – Summary figures of actions, outputs and outcomes for tackling
Voluntary Target included in EB156/24 Updated road map for enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution
“50% reduction in the population-attributable fraction of morality from anthropogenic sources of air pollution by 2040, relative to 2015 baseline values.”
Voluntary Target included in EB156/24 Updated road map for enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution
“50% reduction in the population-attributable fraction of morality from anthropogenic sources of air pollution by 2040, relative to 2015 baseline values.”
Voluntary Target - Rationale & monitoring • Target is relative in recognition that countries have different baselines, and local
contexts and sources.
• Target aims to align with other global or regional efforts addressing air quality
• Progress will be monitored by looking the changes in health impacts from fine particulate matter (i.e. PM2.5) at country level and aggregated for global estimate
• Demographic changes will be accounted for in the modelling approaches used currently for harmonized reporting.
• Those countries already achieving annual averages equivalent to the WHO guideline interim-target 4 (i.e., 10 µg/m3) should continue making progress toward reducing air pollution but a 50% reduction may not be feasible.
The updated road map is organized into four categories:
Knowledge and evidence
Institutional Capacity- strengthening
Global leadership and coordination
7
Measuring progress
Knowledge and evidence
8
• Build, synthesize, disseminate evidence and knowledge on the impacts of air pollution on health, and on the effectiveness of sectoral interventions
• Identifies synergies with climate change mitigation • Identifies knowledge gaps, and promotes innovation and research • Evaluations of cost-effectiveness and cost–benefit of sectoral
interventions for health benefits and other impacts
Knowledge and evidence
9
1. Governments develop or adapt air quality standards to align with WHO Air Quality Guideline levels and interim targets at country and city- level
Actions Outputs Outcomes
2. Governments invest and use synthesised and translated health evidence in policy and programmatic decision-making including cost- effective analysis of different interventions across sectors
3. Government institutions with the support of civil society organizations disseminate evidence to the population on air pollution health risks and measures for reducing exposure
1. Air quality standards are in place and regularly updated to reflect the current knowledge on health risks from air pollution
2. Established network of researchers (e.g., International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, WHO collaborating centres) and medical societies, both local and global, engaged in deriving evidence on health risk, local sources of air pollution and effectiveness of interventions
3. Data, information and public health guidance on health risks from air pollution, especially for vulnerable populations is made publicly available
Health knowledge: MS are equipped with knowledge and health evidence to inform decision-making across all sectors to maximize health and multiple benefits of air pollution reductions, with particular consideration of equity and vulnerable populations
Measuring progress
10
• Proposes enhancing monitoring systems, structures and process to better assess and monitor the health impacts of air pollution exposure, and the lack of access to clean energy in the home and the health care facility
• Highlights importance of identifying sources of health-damaging pollutants for informing policy
• Emphasizes synergies of measuring progress with efforts to monitor sustainable development goals and other global initiatives and targets
11
1. Utilize health-based guidance, initiate, update and/or expand air quality monitoring network(s) to ensure routine and official data collection on air pollution levels for monitoring health impacts as well as reporting on global indicators like the Sustainable Development Goals indicators
Health data: MS have established baselines and an official and routine monitoring network in place which is used to evaluate and adapt policy measure to tackle air pollution and reduce inequalities
2. Integrate indicators and metrics for monitoring health impacts of air pollution into health data and public health surveillance systems at the city and country-level.
3. Governments in partnership with environmental and meteorological institutions routinely publish data on air pollution levels, health impacts and when possible paired with source attribution (e.g. household energy use, transport)
1. Established, maintained and sustained official monitoring network of air quality levels for health risk evaluation
2. Health data systems and surveillance networks are strengthened to account for health risks from air pollution
3. Data on air pollution and health burden are publicly available and disseminated
Actions Outputs Outcomes
Measuring progress
Institutional capacity- strengthening
12
Focus on building the capacity of the health sector: • To understand, analyse and influence policy and decision-making
processes related to air pollution and health using health evidence, tools and resources to inform and engage, particularly with other sectors
• Provide advice and guidance to patients and the community on air pollution as a health risk
• Integrate air pollution control actions into NCD, maternal child and adolescent health strategies and other related health promotion activities
13
1. Integrate information on air pollution and health risk into health professional training, medical school and paraprofessional curricula and trainings
Institutional Capacity Strengthening
2. Invest in the health system response to ensure an adequate number of trained health professionals are available to respond to air pollution health impacts, in particular for long-term effects
3. Invest in human capacity within the health sector to utilize a primary health care approach to address air pollution as a key determinant of health
1. Health professionals are trained and capable to advise patients on protection from air pollution exposure
2. Health systems are prepared to respond to air pollution episodes using enhanced surveillance techniques
3. Health professionals are engaged and able to utilize health impact assessment and other information resources and guidance to inform multisectoral decision- making
Health competency: All key stakeholders including health, environment, energy and other sector actors are aware of and able to build evidence-based health arguments in the context of action on air pollution, climate change and the energy transition
Actions Outputs Outcomes
Global leadership and coordination
14
• Highlights the importance of health sector leadership and coordinated action to protect public health from air pollution and lack of clean energy access
• Emphasizes the opportunities and aligning with global processes and synergistic efforts (e.g., climate change, biodiversity), particularly in light of the transboundary nature of air pollution
• Promotes the use of strategic communication for the integration of air pollution in broader disease prevention and development efforts
15
1. Governments allocate adequate capacity, e.g., focal point within the Ministry of Health, and resources to ensure the health sector is actively engaged and providing the evidence in of other sectors decision-making
2. Engage and promote health messaging and campaigns, e.g., BreatheLife, for air pollution reduction for health benefits, with the support of key stakeholders
3. Harness the capacity of the health sector to produce and use evidence and data to engage and influence multilateral agreements, processes and initiatives
1.Heatlh professionals are advocates and driving decision-making in different sectors to account for health risks and benefits from air pollution mitigation
2. Health professionals are leaders in the global community raising awareness on clean air for public health protection and highlighting relevant issues such as air pollution hot spots, risks for vulnerable populations and solutions like clean household energy use.
3. Health impacts of air pollution are accounted for in climate change policies, e.g., NDCs, economic, development and environmental decision-making at the global, national and regional level
Health leadership: Health professionals engage decision-makers at the local, national and regional level to ensure health considerations from clean air are integrated in policy and programmes.
Actions Outputs Outcomes
Global leadership and coordination
WHO Secretariat Support
16
Outlines various ongoing and envisioned work of the WHO Secretariat to support MS governments in their efforts to tackle air pollution. Some highlights include:
• Provide normative guidance and implementation support to countries • Engage with experts to synthesize and disseminate evidence • Support routinely harmonized data collection on relevant indicators • Provisions of tools and resources for training health care professionals • Support health sector scale up clean energy in health care facilities • Convening and coordination with UN partners, academia, and civil society • Support strategic communication efforts (e.g., Breathelife Campaign)
Process status and next Steps
17
Below are next steps: • EB156 agreed to ‘adopt’ the updated road map on 10 February 2025 • WHO Secretariat to continue with MS information sessions until WHA78.
These sessions will be typically arranged via WHO regional offices. • Their purpose is to further inform MS about the road map and gather
feedback on priorities and challenges for MS. Understanding priorities will help WHO Secretariat tailor support to MS needs.
• WHO Secretariat is asked to report back to the WHA in 2030 on the progress to implement the updated road map.
https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB1 56/B156_24-en.pdf
Thank you.
18
Heather Adair-Rohani Unit Head, ai
Air Quality, Energy and Health Unit
WHO HQ
Member State Survey
There is strong scientific evidence that air pollution has adverse health effects and that any reduction in air pollution will bring public health benefits.
Air pollution has been recognized by the UN General Assembly as the 5th risk factor for non-communicable diseases, and is an important risk negatively impacting the health and development of children throughout the life course.
Air pollution is a key health risk for all for which the health sector has a key role to play. However the health sector cannot tackle air pollution alone. Addressing the health risks of air pollution requires multi-sectoral coordination and action, as well as high-level political support.
The EB156/24 Updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution provides a framework for strengthened health sector engagement to tackle air pollution. It uses a primary health care approach, promoting multisectoral policy and action while at the same time leveraging the trusted voice of health professionals to empower individuals, families and communities to protect their health and well-being from air pollution and the lack of energy access in the home. It also includes an ambitious but attainable voluntary target to help drive action and ensure greater accountability.
The road map itself is comprehensive covering nearly all of the WHO Secretariat’s activities (including HQ, WHO Regional Offices, WHO Country Offices) to support MS and other stakeholders protect public health from air pollution and the lack of clean household energy access. The accompanying costing exercise presented at the EB156 was based on current levels of staffing and activities and aims to be a realistic estimate of what is implementable in the near-term. Financing solutions to tackle the health risks from air pollution is always a challenge, as it requires long-term investment and sustained high-level political commitment by governments, and other partners. WHO Secretariat has and will continue to work to mobilize resources and provide the support the health sector leadership in countries and regions to protect public health from air pollution.
The WHO Secretariat would like to hear from you. Below is a brief survey seeking general feedback on EB156/24 Updated road map including identifying which areas of actions and outputs are priorities for your country, as well as what are some of the challenges for implementation. We would kindly ask you to complete as many of the questions as possible and please do let us know if you have any comments or questions. Also please note, the annex from the draft road map which summarizes key actions, outputs and outcomes is included as annex in this survey for ease of reference.
Survey (estimated 20 to 30 minutes to complete)
1. The draft road map and its annex provides four strategic categories1 of health sector actions to tackle air pollution and energy access for public health protection. From your country's perspective, please rank the top three priorities areas for your country, where 1 is the highest priority compared to the others.
a. ____ Knowledge and evidence
b. ____ Measuring progress
c. ____ Institutional capacity-strengthening
d. ____ Global leadership and coordination
e. ____ All our equal priorities for my country, at this moment
f. ____ None are a priority for my country, at this moment
2. Which “actions” (see Annex) listed in the road map are currently a priority for your country? Please mark all that apply.
Knowledge and Evidence
a. ____ Develop or adapt air quality standards to align with WHO air quality guideline levels and interim targets at country and city levels
b. ____ Invest in and use synthesized and translated health evidence in policy and programmatic decision-making including economic analysis to compare costs and benefits of different interventions across sectors
c. ____ Institutions with the support of civil society organizations disseminate evidence to the population on air pollution health risks and measures for reducing exposures
Measuring Progress
d. ____ Utilize health-based guidance, initiate, update and/or expand air quality monitoring networks to ensure routine and official data collection on air pollution levels for monitoring health impacts as well as reporting on global indicators like the SDG indicators
e. ____ Integrate indicators and metrics for monitoring health impacts on air pollution into health data and public health surveillance systems at the city and country level
f. ____ In partnership with environmental and meteorological institutions, routinely publish data on air pollution levels and health impacts, with source attribution (e.g. household energy use, transport) when possible.
Institutional capacity strengthening
g. ____ Integrate information on air pollution and health risk into health professional, medical school and paraprofessional curricula and training courses
h. ____ Invest in the health system response to ensure an adequate number of trained health professionals are available to respond to air pollution health impacts, in particular for long-term effects
i. ____ Invest in human capacity within the health sector to utilize a primary healthcare approach to address air pollution as a key determinant of health.
Global leadership and coordination
j. ____ Allocate adequate capacity (e.g. a focal point within the ministry of health and resources to ensure the health sector is actively engaged and providing evidence for decision-making of other sectors)
k. ____ Engage and promote health messaging and campaigns (e.g. Breathelife campaign) for air pollution reductions for health benefits, with the support of key stakeholders
l. ____ Harness the capacity of the health sector to produce and use evidence and data to engage and influence multilateral agreements, processes and initiatives.
m. ____ Consider long-range transport of air pollutants and its contribution to exposure and to health effects and promote international dialogues to address the issue.
3. In view of the answers above, which of these are the top 3 priority ‘actions' your country would need WHO’s support and the WHO secretariat should focus on? Please list the letters listed next to the top 3 actions you have selected below.
4. Which output(s) (see annex) is your country prioritizing at this moment? Please indicate whether work on the output is planned, in process or complete by ticking the appropriate column and line with the output.
Knowledge and Evidence
Planned
Ongoing
Completed or established
Air quality standards are in place and regularly updated to reflect the current knowledge on health risks from air pollution
Established network of researchers and medical societies engaged in deriving evidence on health risk, sources of air pollution is made publicly available
Data information and public health guidance on health risks from air pollution, especially for vulnerable populations is made publicly available.
Measuring Progress
Official monitoring network of air quality levels for health risks evaluation is established, maintained and sustained
Health data systems and surveillance networks are strengthened to account for health risks from air pollution
Data on air pollution and health burden are publicly available and disseminated
Institutional Capacity-Strengthening
Health professionals are trained and competent to advise patients on protection for air pollution exposure
Health systems are prepared to respond to air pollution episodes using enhanced surveillance techniques
Health professionals are engaged and able to utilize health impact assessment and other information resources and guidance to inform multisetoral decision-making
Global leadership and coordination
Health professionals are advocates and drive decision-making in different sector for health risks and benefits from air pollution mitigation
Health professionals are leaders in the global community, raising awareness on clean air for public health protection and highlighting relevant issues such as air pollution hot spots, risk for vulnerable populations and solutions such as clean household energy use
Health impacts of air pollution are accounted for in climate change policies, economic, development and environmental decision-making at national level
5. Does this road map serve as a useful guide to support the health sector in your country engage in multisectoral decision-making on issues related to air pollution or energy access impacting public health?
a. ____ Yes
b. ____ No
c. ____ Somewhat (comment):
6. What, if any, are the major challenges for your country to implement this road map? Please rank all those that apply where 1 is your largest challenge for implementation?
a. ____ Institutional Capacity: Limited technical capacity within the ministry of health or related public health institutions to engage and integrate public health protection in sectoral decision-making impacting air quality, and/or energy access.
b. ____ Institutional Capacity: Limited technical capacity in other ministries and institutions to consider health in policy and programmatic decision-making related to air quality and energy access.
c. ____ Institutional Capacity: limited training and education opportunities for health professionals to learn about the health risks of air pollution and available solutions to protect health
d. ____ Institutional capacity: Limited knowledge and technical capacity for routine monitoring of air quality levels and health impacts
e. ____ Leadership and coordination: Limited and/or inconsistent high-level political commitment needed for sustained actions to address the public health impacts of air pollution at local, national, and international level.
f. ____ Leadership and coordination: Limited legislation on air quality and general governance that could facilitate implementation and or sustained actions (whenever lack of political support).
g. ____ Leadership and coordination: Lack of internal coordination mechanisms and/or governance to facilitate health sector engagement in multi-sectoral decision-making on issues impacting air quality like energy production, industry, land-use, transport, household energy use, waste management, etc.
h. ____ Leadership and coordination: Lack of assets and technical products to raise awareness about the health impacts of air pollution and lack of energy access.
i. ____ Finance: Limited financial resources for dedicated staff in ministry of health or national public health institutions to effectively contribute to the development and/or to implementation of policies or programmes impacting air pollution and health
j. ____ Finance: Limited government financial resources for the establishment and maintenance of an official monitoring network or system on air quality and health impacts
k. ____ Finance: Limited financial resources for advocacy, outreach and awareness-raising activities within the community and among policy-makers on the health impacts of air pollution and the lack of energy access
l. ____ Finance: Limited financial resources for knowledge strengthening and capacity-building activities for health professionals on air pollution and health issues
7. Please list any other key challenges your county may be facing in addressing the health impacts of air pollution below.
*End of survey, thank you for your time. If you have additional comments or questions on the draft road map, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Heather Adair-Rohani at WHO HQ Secretariat ([email protected]) or your respective WHO regional office environmental focal point.
Annex
ROAD MAP FOR AN ENHANCED GLOBAL RESPONSE TO THE ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION
The road map for the period 2025–2030 is represented in the figures below, which depict the sequence of actions, output and proposed outcomes of this road map as a guide to governments, particularly health sector institutions and authorities. Figures 1–4 focus on the four relevant activities: expanding the knowledge and evidence base, monitoring and reporting, institutional capacity strengthening and global leadership and coordination.