The world’s climate crisis has major health implications, according to WHO, with air pollution alone killing an estimated seven million people annually. In addition, more than 25% of deaths from chronic respiratory disease, heart attack, lung cancer, and stroke are attributed to the same emissions responsible for global warming, WHO said. Climate change also worsens malnutrition and promotes the spread of infectious diseases, according to WHO.
To address the issue, WHO said it is working toward creating “a set of policy options for governments” that aim to lower the health risks associated with air pollution. The organization said, “Leaders in both the public and private sectors must work together to clean up our air and mitigate the health impacts of climate change.”
WHO noted that, in 2019, most of the disease outbreaks that required the organization’s “highest level of … response occurred in countries with protracted conflicts.” WHO said it recorded a total of 978 attacks against health care workers or facilities in 11 countries last year, which resulted in 193 deaths. The conflicts also forced a record number of people to leave their homes, resulting in limited health care access for tens of millions of people, WHO said.
WHO noted that it is “working with countries and partners to strengthen health systems, improve preparedness, and expand the availability of long-term contingency financing for complex health emergencies.” However, the group said “political solutions” are need “to resolve protracted conflicts, stop neglecting the weakest health systems, and protect health care workers and facilities from attacks.”