World Health Organization  [Printer-friendly version]
June 16, 2006

PREVENTING DISEASE THROUGH HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS

[Rachel's introduction: The potential for preventing human disease
world-wide is enormous: "The evidence shows that environmental risk
factors play a role in more than 80% of the diseases regularly
reported by the World Health Organization. Globally, nearly one
quarter of all deaths and of the total disease burden can be
attributed to the environment. In children, however, environmental
risk factors can account for slightly more than one-third of the
disease burden."]

How much disease could be prevented through better management of our
environment? The environment influences our health in many ways --
through exposures to physical, chemical and biological risk factors,
and through related changes in our behaviour in response to those
factors. To answer this question, the available scientific evidence
was summarized and more than 100 experts were consulted for their
estimates of how much environmental risk factors contribute to the
disease burden of 85 diseases.

This report summarizes the results globally, by 14 regions worldwide,
and separately for children. The evidence shows that environmental
risk factors play a role in more than 80% of the diseases regularly
reported by the World Health Organization. Globally, nearly one
quarter of all deaths and of the total disease burden can be
attributed to the environment. In children, however, environmental
risk factors can account for slightly more than one-third of the
disease burden. These findings have important policy implications,
because the environmental risk factors that were studied largely can
be modified by established, cost-effective interventions. The
interventions promote equity by benefiting everyone in the society,
while addressing the needs of those most at risk.

Download the full document in English [pdf 8.8 megabytes]

Download the executive summary [pdf 859kb] Download the executive
summary en Espanol [pdf 2.62 megabytes]

Press release: Almost a quarter of all disease caused by
environmental exposure

Radio interviews: by Dr Maria Neira, Director, Public Health and the
Environment Department, WHO, Dr Annette Pruss-Ustun, Scientist, Public
Health and the Environment Department, WHO and lead author of the
report Dr Carlos Corvalan, Scientist, Public Health and the
Environment Department, WHO and co-author of the report

Video message: Health is the key in motivating to solve
environmental problems by Dr Maria Neira, Director, Public Health and
Environment Department, WHO.