WHO
© Credits

Environment and health

    Overview

    The environment is a major determinant of health, estimated to account for almost 20% of all deaths in the WHO European Region.

    WHO response

    In 1989, concerned about the growing evidence of the impact of hazardous environments on human health, WHO/Europe initiated the first ever environment and health process, towards a broad primary prevention public health approach, and to facilitate intersectoral policy-making.

    Collaboration between different sectors is crucial to protect human health from the risks of a hazardous or contaminated environment. Through its European Centre on Environment and Health, WHO/Europe brings many players together with Member States to tackle central environment and health issues.

    Multimedia

    All →

    Our work

    All →

    Publications

    All →
    Action for climate change: examples from the WHO Regions for Health Network

    Climate change is widely seen as a critical public health challenge. This collection of case studies, developed within the framework of the WHO Regions...

    Unlocking funding for well-being, equity and healthy societies: primer

    Countries across the WHO European Region face severe financial constraints and major challenges, ranging from ageing populations and the rising cost of...

    Documents

    All →
    Thumbnail of a document

    This document summarizes key considerations for improving the uptake of evidence on climate change and health into policy and practice through strengthening...

    Thumbnail of a document

    This document summarizes key evidence relevant to the opportunities and co-benefits of addressing climate change threats to human health in the WHO European...

    Related WHO collaborating centres

    WHO collaborating centres are institutions that form an international collaborative network carrying out activities to support WHO’s programmes at all levels. They provide an opportunity for WHO to utilize their inherent expertise for the benefit of all Member States.

    View the list of related collaborating centres

    Related health topics