International Conference on Environmental Threats to the Health of Children: Hazards and Vulnerability

Overview

The scope of the conference was largely regional and focused on Children’s Environmental Health (CEH) issues which had a very high prevalence and health impact in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions. However, as similar environmental threats to children’s health are present throughout the developing world, interested scientists and professionals from other Regions participated and benefited from attendance.

The participants included: (i) professionals from the health and environment sectors who are involved in the areas of training, research, and medical and social sciences that are related to children's environmental health; (ii) persons in the educational sector and/or those involved in community activities; (iii) representatives from governmental and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) concerned about children’s health; and (iv) a number of children and adolescents involved in environmentally-oriented school activities.

The expected outcome of the conference included a commitment to national and international activities in the area of CEH, a statement setting priorities for action, and the report of the conference presented here.