WHO Outlines the Link between Environmental Hazards and Disease

Environmental exposures are the sole cause of nearly 24% of all diseases in adults and 33% of diseases in children. World Health Organization (WHO) said that all this can be prevented by living in a healthy environment. These diseases are extensively seen in developing countries and could be prevented thereby saving four million lives a year. The diseases which are influenced by hazardous environmental factors are diarrhoea, lower respiratory infections, various forms of accidental injuries, and malaria. WHO has asked researchers to analyze how environment cause diseases, and their interactions with individual’s health.

According to WHO’s report about 13 million deaths occur every year due to preventable environmental causes. Of which 40% deaths are due to malaria and 94% due to diarrhoea which could be prevented through better environmental management. Hence in conclusion Dr Maria Neira, director of WHO's Department for Public Health and Environment and other health experts mention various methods which could reduce this environmental disease burden. The various measures promotion of safe household water storage, better hygienic conditions, use of cleaner and safer fuels, increased safety on building sites, more judicious use and management of toxic substances in the home and workplace and better water resource management.