Healthy Environments for Children

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2. Outline WHO work on Healthy Environments for Children Environmental Burden of Disease Children�s special vulnerability Environmental risks to children�s health Key risk factors Target Action Monitoring indicators Healthy Places, Happy Faces

3. Child and Adolescent Health The CAH Strategy Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) The Stockholm Consultation Task Force on CEH International Conference on Children�s Environmental Health The Bangkok Statement: a pledge to promote the protection of CEH CHILDREN IN THE NEW MILLENIUM: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON HEALTH Task Force on Healthy Environments for Children (HEC) HEC Initiative (HECI) announced at WSSD HEC Alliance (HECA) �established in December 2002

4. EURO London Meeting CHILDREN�S HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT: A REVIEW OF EVIDENCE AMRO/PAHO Publication on environmental impact on children�s health (1999) Video Full CHELAC (Regional strategy) SEARO Informal consultations (2) Training workshop for the health sector WPRO & SEARO: International Conference Bangkok

5. WHO/EMRO Regional Initiative Environmentally Healthy School Initiative in Jordan (1998-2001) Task Force on HEC, October 2002 Consultation on HEC, Nov. 2002, Amman CEHA Database and Information Clearing House on HEC started December 2002 World Health Day 2003 celebrations HEC project in Pakistan and Yemen (2003-2006) HEC Indicators monitoring. Piloting starts (2003) Jordan National Conference on HEC (April 2003) Saudi Arabia National Conference on HEC (April 2003) Pakistan Conference on HEC (April 2003) Lebanon pilot project on HEC in a Beirut suburb (starts 2003) WHO/EMRO Regional planning consultation on HEC (Late 2003)

6. ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS MAY CAUSE UP TO ONE THIRD OF THE GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE Over 40% of this burden falls on children under the age of five who make up only about 10% of the world�s population. 6

7. IN 2000, MORE THAN 4.7 MILLION CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE DIED FROM ILLINESSES AGGRAVATED BY UNHEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS  Most of the 13,000 child deaths each day are due to the dangers present in the environments in which they live, learn, play and grow. Environment-related illnesses can kill the equivalent of a jumbo-jet full of children every 45 minutes. 7

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9. CHILDREN ARE AMONG THE MOST VULNERABLE TO ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS Children are in a dynamic state of growth with cells multiplying fast and organ systems developing at a rapid rate. Children breathe more air and consume more food and water in proportion to their weight. Their central nervous system, immune, digestive and reproductive systems are more vulnerable than those of adults. Exposure to certain environmental toxins can lead to irreversible damage, and to diseases during adulthood. Children are more exposed to unhealthy conditions and to dangerous substances because they live their lives closer to the ground and, especially in the early years, they are frequently exposed through hand-to-mouth activities.

10. Children in EMR Children under 19, constitute 50% of EMR population Respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, injuries, and malaria account for more than 43% of under mortality. All these diseases are attributable to environmental conditions

11. Key Environmental Health Risk Factors in EMR Housing quality Household water security Hygiene and sanitation Air pollution (indoor and outdoor) Injuries and accidents Chemical hazards (e.g. lead, pesticides) Disease vectors Poverty, war, occupation and aggression bring additional hazards

13. RISKS TO CHILDREN�S HEALTH IN AIR Germs; indoor and outdoor air pollutants; toxic chemicals, second hand tobacco smoke and pesticides; disease-transmitting insects.

14. Environmental Risk Factors and their Health Effects

22. Healthy Home Environments for Children Store water in covered containers in safe, clean and cool places. Promote the use of improved stoves and cleaner household fuels. Wash your child�s and your own hands with water and soap before preparing food and eating, and after defecation. Keep your child away from smoke during peak cooking times and do not smoke near children. Store household cleaning products, pesticides, fuels and medicines away from children�s reach. Use insecticide-treated bed-nets to prevent malaria.

23. Healthy School Environments for Children Ensure that clean running water and separate toilets are available for boys and girls. Teach children about creating healthy environments. Build and relocate schools and playgrounds away from traffic, noise, industrial and waste sites. Maintain clean, well-ventilated, well-lit school buildings to promote health and learning. Encourage healthy, well-balanced diets and regular exercise for children.

24. Healthy Neighborhood / Community Environments for Children Make public places smoke free. Organize waste management to promote a healthy community. Plant trees and clean up streams. Advocate for safer roads and organized traffic. Eliminate the use of leaded gasoline. Take care of children in swimming areas, or when playing in ponds and creeks. Maintain slides and swings to avoid in injuries. Plant trees to provide protection from the sun.