On 26th September 2022 the world celebrated “World Environmental Health Day” for the 11th time, a day established by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) on 26 September 2011. The day was launched to inspire people to protect the environment and to acknowledge the work done by environmental health workers around the world (ifeh.org). This year’s theme was “Strengthening Environmental Health Systems for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals”.
Environmental Health
People sometimes confuse the terminology “The health of the environment” with “Environmental Health”. Though they sound very similar, they are very different: “The health of the environment” deals with the protection and conservation of healthy ecosystems and biodiversity in nature. When we use the term “Environmental Health” though, this refers to a branch of Public Health, which deals with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health. For example, environmental health practitioners work to protect our health/public health by monitoring pollution levels and implementing interventions to reduce pollution in the environment (e.g., air pollution or water pollution). This is an important job, because according to the World Health Organization, there are an estimated 12.6 million deaths each year due to unhealthy environments.
Sustainable Development Goals and Environmental Health
In 2015 the United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) (undp.org) as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity now and in the future.
Environmental Health plays a pivotal role in the implementation of these SDGs, as the once secretary-general of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon so aptly said:
"Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth…these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women’s empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all."
SAMRC and Environmental Health
How does World Environmental Health Day link to the SAMRC? The SAMRC Environment and Health Research Unit is a dedicated intramural unit which conducts population-based research on environmental health risks to health with particular emphasis on those living in poverty. The unit promotes and protects the health of South African communities by investigating serious health risks such as climate change and risking heat, lead poisoning, air pollution, environmental exposures form living near mining land and other health hazards specific to the urban environment.
What can you do to celebrate World Environmental Health Day?
You don’t need to be an environmental practitioner or a researcher to help protect human health from environmental health risks. What can you do?
- Join a river- or beach clean-up
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle your rubbish
- Protect yourself and children from the sun by wearing sunscreen or sitting in the shade
- Stay safe from flooded areas to avoid being washed away, or being exposed to waterborne diseases
- Stay cool and drink a lot of water on hot days
To learn more about our Environment and Health Research Unit | click HERE