WHO: 12.6 million Deaths Each Year Due to Unhealthy Environments

An estimated 12.6 million deaths each year are attributable to unhealthy environments, according to a new report released on Tuesday by the World Health Organization.

“A healthy environment underpins a healthy population,” said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan. “If countries do not take actions to make environments where people live and work healthy, millions will continue to become ill and die too young.”

The WHO report found that environmental risk factors, such as air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate change, and ultraviolet radiation, contribute to more than 100 diseases and injuries.

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The study argues that many environment-related deaths can be avoided through the implementation of low-carbon emission technologies such as clean fuels for cooking, heating and lighting in order to reduce respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Improving urban transit and urban planning and building energy-efficient housing, the report argues would reduce air pollution-related diseases and promote safe physical activity.

The report shows that unhealthy environments most adversely affected young children and older adults. The places most affected by environment-related diseases are Southeast Asia and Western Pacific Regions where 7.3 million people died, mostly of air pollution-related diseases.

“There’s an urgent need for investment in strategies to reduce environmental risks in our cities, homes and workplaces,” Maria Neira, WHO director, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, said in the statement.

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