Coordinating research on children’s environmental health

Collaborative research on children’s environmental health between scientists from diverse regions of the world that fosters knowledge growth and sharing is essential to addressing widespread environmental health concerns. Research studies on children’s environmental health can be used to identify, guide and implement interventions to prevent harmful exposures to environmental toxicants. Additionally, they can be used to develop remediation strategies and create strong and evidence-based public health policies at national, regional and international levels. WHO has initiated pilot collaborations in low-income countries on child health and environmental risks such as arsenic, asthma and biomonitoring of persistent substances. Long-term studies on children’s environmental health will recommence in the coming years. Currently, WHO is collaborating on e-waste pilot interventions with other UN agencies, government ministries, communities and local health care providers in countries in the WHO African Region and Region of the Americas. These pilot projects aim to promote local advocacy and collaborate with communities and build the capacity of primary health systems to address risks by monitoring e-waste exposure and measuring the success of interventions. The pilot projects are designing frameworks that can be adapted and replicated in different countries and settings.