ArabicChineseEnglishFrenchRussianSpanish
WHO home
All WHO This site only
  WHO > Features > Fact files > 10 facts on preventing disease through healthy environments

10 facts on preventing disease through healthy environments

4 June 2008

Environmental hazards are responsible for about a quarter of the total burden of disease worldwide, and nearly 35% in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. As many as 13 million deaths can be prevented every year by making our environments healthier.

Rubbish heap with people and animals
M. D. Ibrahim

This fact file highlights the impact of environmental factors on public health. Some of the images used in this fact file are winning entries from the 2007 WHO ICF photo and video contest focusing on the theme "health and environment".

Read the fact file

Related links

Public health and environment
Global environmental change
2007 WHO ICF photo and video contest

KEY WHO INFORMATION

Director-General
Director-General and senior management

Governance of WHO
WHO Constitution, Executive Board and World Health Assembly

Media centre
News, events, fact sheets, multimedia and contacts

International travel and health
Publication on travel risks, precautions and vaccination requirements

World Health Report
Annual report on global public health and key statistics