A pandemic, a polluted planet, and increasing incidence of cancer, heart disease and asthma. Amid all this, on World Health Day 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging governments and the public to protect “Our planet, our health” and to create societies focused on well-being.
Already vulnerable to extreme weather, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, is predicted to experience heatwaves, increased rainfall variability and more severe and frequent floods, and drought. This could increase malnutrition and the risk of diseases including malaria, dengue fever, diarrhoea and leptospirosis, threaten drinking water supplies and damage healthcare infrastructure.
“Lao PDR is aware that human health is profoundly affected by the climate and environment. Of particular concern are the effects of water shortages, changes in ecosystems and biodiversity, and crop production. Although Lao PDR is not a major contributor to climate change, our people are likely to be disproportionably affected. This is why the Government, working with partners including WHO, has focussed on reducing emissions and improving climate change adaptation, while pursuing sustainable growth in alignment with priorities in the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan.” said Dr Snong Thongsna, Vice Minister to the Ministry of Health.
Each year, 3.5 million people in the Western Pacific die from environmental causes. Every 14 seconds, a person dies from air pollution in the Region. And over 90% of people globally breathe unhealthy air due to outdoor air pollution, largely resulting from the burning of the same fossil fuels that are driving climate change.
In 2020 and 2021 – two of the seven warmest years on record – record-breaking droughts, heatwaves, typhoons, floods, and wildfires challenged the ability of health systems in the Western Pacific to protect and save lives from COVID-19 while simultaneously responding to climate-related emergencies.
Dr Ying-Ru Jacqueline Lo, WHO Representative to Lao PDR, said “On World Health Day, we call on our partners, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, UN agencies and community to focus our attention on the urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy, and foster a movement to protect well-being.”
“Working with our partners and donors, we will continue to engage using a multi-sectoral approach to address the impact of climate change on the environment, water supply and quality, the air we breathe and our health, and coordinate the assessment of climate risks and responses starting from village up to central levels. For example, WHO has been supporting resilience of water safety plans, especially for areas prone to floods and droughts, and improving water quality including surveillance and testing capacity to establish drinking water quality standards for the country,” added Dr Lo.
Transformational change in every sector
The COVID-19 response has shown the power of countries and communities working together. Addressing climate change – and mitigating its health impacts – requires the same level of global collaboration from individuals, communities, governments, and the private sector.
To prioritize creating societies which protect our planet and our health, WHO has outlined a series of actions that governments, corporations, health workers and health facilities, local authorities, and individuals can take to protect the health of the planet and its people. Learn more about the recommended actions.
Related links:
- World Health Day 2022
- Climate change health topic in the Western Pacific
- For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region