Every year 12.6 million people globally die from diseases and injuries attributable to the environments in which they live and work. These deaths, including from air, water and soil pollution, radiation, chemical exposure and unsafe workplaces, make up 23 per cent of the total number of fatalities each year, and 26 per cent of deaths in children below five years of age, according to a WHO report.

The report estimates that in the WHO South-East Asia region 3.8 million deaths can be attributed to diseases linked to the environment. “While there has been progress in increasing access to improved drinking water, a large burden of diarrheal disease remains due to issues related to safety of drinking water, poor sanitation and waste management. It is vital that we continue with efforts to ensure safer water and sanitation for all,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia.

“Last year the region was reported to be home to 14 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities, with air pollution leading to increases in cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and ischaemic heart disease, as well as cancer. Household air pollution from the burning of solid fuels such as wood, animal dung and crop waste for cooking purposes, meanwhile, results in 1.69 million premature deaths in the region annually and is responsible for half of the pneumonia deaths in children under 5 years of age,” said Dr Singh.

Unsafe environments are taking their toll in many other ways, and affect the elderly and the young disproportionately. Unsafe working conditions contribute to an unnecessary burden of ill-health, injury and disease, with occupational cancer and unintentional poisonings a distinctive feature for the South-East Asian region, she added.

Talking about measures to create healthy environment, she said “Effective planning can better organise towns and cities to manage the pressures of urbanisation and facilitate positive health outcomes. Air pollution from vehicles and industry can be better managed through multi-sector planning and commitment, while exposure to household air pollution can be mitigated by increasing access to cleaner fuels. Some of these measures are already being rolled-out across the region, in line with WHO’s Healthy Cities approach. Raising the living standards of the poor and marginalised and enhancing access to clean water and adequate sanitation will also diminish the prevalence of infectious diseases and contribute greatly to a community’s health.”

Labor must be protected from hazards in the work environment such as harmful chemicals or inadequately maintained machinery that can result in fatal diseases and injuries. Labor must also be afforded the personal protective equipment necessary to stay safe and healthy at work, said Dr Singh.

With informed planning and firm commitment at multiple levels in society we can create healthy environments in our communities, workplaces and cities and avoid unnecessary deaths and ill-health. This is an outcome that must be pursued, she concluded.