A new report from the World Health Organization or WHO released a few days ago estimates that every year 12.6 million people worldwide die from diseases and injuries caused by the environment in which they live and work. and soil, radiation, chemical exposure and unsafe workplaces, account for 23% of the total number of deaths each year, and 26% of deaths in children under five years of age.
Human health and well-being are intimately linked to the state of the environment. Good quality natural environments provide basic needs, in terms of clean air and water, fertile land for food production, and energy and material inputs for production. Green environment also serves to regulate the climate and prevent flooding. Access to green and blue spaces also provides important opportunities for recreation, health and supporting well-being.
At the same time, the environment represents an important pathway for human exposure to polluted air, noise and hazardous chemicals.Maintaining a clean environment reduces pollution, preserves our biosphere, protects endangered species, and also helps preserve the earth's natural resources. In society, the state of cleanliness of a society represents the mindset and lifestyle.
Environmental health is the branch of public health that: focuses on the relationships between people and their environment; promotes human health and well-being; and fosters healthy and safe communities. Environmental health is a key part of any comprehensive public health system.reducing people's exposure to harmful pollutants in air, water, soil, food, and materials in homes and workplaces.
There are various ways to preserve the environment like, starting from throwing garbage in its place, recycling garbage that can be made into craft tools, planting trees in denuded forests, reducing the use of private vehicles.
So why should people be healthy in the environment?
Every year, about 7 million children and adults die from diseases and infections related to air pollution, more than five times the number of people who die in traffic accidents. Exposure to pollutants can also affect the brain, causing developmental delays, behavioural problems and even lower IQs in children.
Creating a healthy environment is something that should be beyond individual responsibility. With careful planning and strong commitment at various levels in society, we can create healthy environments in our homes, workplaces and cities, and avoid unnecessary death and health.This is a result to be pursued.
References :
World Health Organization (WHO) (2022). Environmental Health. who.int
