WHO
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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.

    Our work

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    Multimedia

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    Publications

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    Building a public health innovation ecosystem in the WHO European Region: meeting report, 11–12 March 2024, Copenhagen

    This meeting report highlights the pressing health challenges faced by the WHO European Region, including noncommunicable diseases, tobacco use, vaccine-preventable...

    Action against antimicrobial resistance requires a One Health approach

    Why pay attention to One Health? One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals...

    Documents

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