Last week the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a comprehensive Repository of systematic reviews on interventions in environment, climate change, and health.
The WHO strategic initiative’s goal is to assess and identify critical areas for research in order to create strong health and environmental policies to overcome looming climate challenges.
According to the Director of the WHO Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, Dr. Maria Neira, the newly introduced Repository has a major potential to save millions of lives.
“Policy-makers need to be informed on how to withstand environmental shocks and protect populations. This Repository presents the existing knowledge on the most effective interventions that can be implemented and will help policy-makers to make the right decision,” Dr. Neira said.
The Repository will cover different areas of environment, climate change, and health – all of which have been carefully defined using the UN guidance on health and environment.
Using the Repository as a guideline, lawmakers can introduce various policies to improve and intervene in areas of the environment, including “air quality, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), climate change, solid waste, chemicals, radiation, nature and health, safe environments and mobility, safe and healthy food, environmental noise, and priority settings for action,” the WHO informed.
The opening of this repository is a significant step in WHO’s continued efforts to protect the health and well-being of people worldwide in an era characterized by growing environmental problems and their significant effects on public health.
The WHO Repository acts as a spark, highlighting the body of information and proof of the best course of action. Through the identification and implementation of the most effective environmental health policies, WHO can support practitioners and decision-makers at the national, regional, and local levels.
Additionally, by highlighting existing gaps in knowledge and encouraging study in areas that require proof, the Repository may be leveraged.
