Ambiente e Salute News n.21 - maggio-giugno 2023

Environment and health WHO Europe has published the report “A healthy environment in the WHO European Region: why it matters and what steps we can take to improve health” in preparation for the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health held in Budapest July 5-7, 2023(7MCEH). The report draws attention to the current state of environment and health and what actions WHO member states can take to ensure future environmental protection; about 15 percent of all deaths could be prevented through healthier environments. Health risks are related to air pollution, water, sanitation and hygiene, chemicals, radiation, and climate change. There are more than 1.4 million deaths in Europe each year associated with preventable environmental health risks. The Budapest Declaration focuses attention on urgent actions to health challenges related to climate change, environmental pollution, biodiversity loss and land degradation to strengthen countries' capacities to meet the commitments made at the conference. Youth were strongly represented at the 7MCEH and were given the opportunity to participate and act on actions that will affect their future. Indeed, member states recognize how the environmental crisis affects the mental health of the younger generation and that protective actions such as increasing urban green areas and contact with nature are needed. Different articles in this issue highlight the importance for a good health of the parent-child-nature relationship, urban green spaces and how eco-anxiety can be a driver of change in a positive direction. This issue of Environment and Health News is based on the systematic review of the May and June 2023 publications.