WHO calls for health actions to be included in implementation of Paris Agreement

As countries focus on turning climate commitments into actions, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is calling for health to be the central priority at Conference of Parties (COP22) on United Nations Framework Conventions on climate change, taking place in Marrakech, Morocco.

Almost one quarter of the global burden of disease, and approximately 12.6 million deaths each year, are attributable to avoidable environmental risk factors such as air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures and ultraviolet radiation, WHO said.

Global environmental and social changes, including climate change, exacerbate many of these risks.

The WHO also believes that despite growing evidence of the effect of environmental risk factors on health, political action and investments remain largely insufficient, as only about 3 percent of health resources are invested in prevention, with approximately 97 percent spent on treatment, increasing healthcare costs.

Health gains represent major social and economic benefits of environmental protection, and therefore should be put forward as key motivating forces for public support and political action.

The Government of Morocco, holding the Presidency of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP22), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Environment Programme will host a ministerial meeting on Health, Environment and Climate Change.

The meeting will bring together health and environment ministers to promote healthier environments for healthier people.  The expected outcomes include a Marrakesh declaration on health, environment and climate change and identification of ways and means for a potential future coalition and a proposal for ensuring health is considered a priority for financing.