Capacity building

A growing number of diseases in children from rural and urban areas are linked to unsafe, degraded environments. However, many health care providers are unable to recognize, assess and manage environmentally-related diseases in children. 

WHO is working on enabling those ‘in the front line’ - the health professionals dealing with children and adolescent’s health - to recognize and assess diseases linked to, or triggered by, environmental factors. Paediatricians, family doctors, nurses, primary and other health care workers need to be trained on the relationship between children's health and the environment through the use of harmonized training materials, which can be tailored to the specific needs of countries and professional groups.

WHO has developed the WHO Training Package on Children’s Environmental Health for Health Care Providers. The package consists of a collection of modules with internationally harmonized information and peer-reviewed materials to enable health care workers to be trained, and also to become trainers of their peers and colleagues. The modules include extensive notes and references, case studies and self-evaluation tools, backed up by manuals and guides.

Additionally, WHO and the UNICEF have collaborated to create a new free online course that provides an in-depth exploration of children's environmental health, covering key topics of global concern such as air pollution, climate change, e-waste, lead, pesticides and other hazards affecting children's well-being. Participants will gain valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance their capacity in this critical area of healthcare.