World Environmental Health Day

 World Environmental Health Day

 World Environmental Health Day is observed annually on September 26 to raise awareness of the deteriorating health of our environment and its impact on human health. The day also provides an opportunity to find a way to address issues with global efforts. On this day, local health departments educate their communities and partners on what's at stake, raise awareness of the biggest risks and issues in environmental health today, and stimulate discussion about steps people can take to protect the environment and ensure their security against threats.

 HISTORY 

World Environmental Health Day was established on September 26, 2011, by the International Federation for Environmental Health (IFEH) to raise awareness of the various issues surrounding environmental health. For more than 32 years, the organization has worked to improve health problems that threaten human well-being. It is the responsibility of every single person living on this planet to keep our environment clean and sanitized to keep us healthy. 

It has been held annually since then. The IFEH is an organization with 44 members whose goal is to create awareness for the health of our environment. IFHE was founded in London in 1986 with a focus on scientific and technical research on environmental health and the exchange of ideas between countries. 

World Environmental Health Day inspires people to help protect the environment and recognize the work that environmental health professionals do around the world. On this day, various organizations and institutes organize symposiums, conferences and other events to raise awareness of environmental health.

This year various events are organizing by organizations such as  MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology (India), Accra Metropolitan Assembly (Ghana) and Environmental Health (Australia)  in their respective regions.

THEME 

World Environmental Health Day is celebrated every year with a specific theme. This year, the IFEH Council decided to celebrate the day under the motto "Strengthening environmentally-related health systems to implement the Sustainable Development Goals". 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call for action to end poverty and protect the planet. It is also designed to ensure that people enjoy prosperity now and in the future. Environmental health plays a crucial role in achieving of these SDGs and as it faces many challenges, achieving these global goals continues to take a back seat.

 IMPORTANT 

The well-being of people largely depends on the health of the environment in which they live, so it is necessary to educate each individual about the procedure to keep the environment clean and healthy. Public health is increasingly vulnerable to risks and diseases at a time when the world still faces serious concerns such as global warming, climate change, rapid urbanization, etc. that degrade the quality of the environment. According to the World Health Organization, Environmental causes account for about a quarter of the global burden of disease each year. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations are working hard from the local to the global level to improve all aspects of human life so that citizens can live healthier lives.

Environmental Health

The environment can directly and indirectly affect our health and well-being. Environmental Health examines the interaction between the environment and our health. Environmental health refers to those aspects of human health that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social, and psychosocial factors. in the environment. The environment broadly encompasses everything outside of ourselves, including the physical, natural, social, and behavioral environments. Health is not simply the absence of disease or infirmity, it is a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being.

Five Areas of Environmental Health and Safety

There are several environmental health issues that can negatively affect us. The following five key health issues are essential to support human life and create a healthier environment. 

1. Water and Sanitation 
2. Chemicals and Radiation
3. Air pollution
4. The built environment
5. Climate change

1. Water and sanitation

Around 784 million people still lack access to potable water.Lack of access to clean water is a major health concern for humans and can negatively impact the environment as people take drastic measures to secure a water source.

2. Chemicals and Radiation

Toxic gases, pollutants, and radiation are all around us Potential to wreak havoc on human health and the environment.

Pesticides, for example, expose farm workers and their families to diseases such as asthma and various types of cancer caused by pesticides. An analysis of more than 40 years of epidemiological literature has found that exposure to agricultural pesticides increases the risk of brain tumors by up to 20%. 

3.Air Pollution

Toxic gas pollution is harmful to flora, fauna and the human respiratory tract. The main sources of air pollution include:

• Power plants and factories burning fossil fuels, 

• industrial waste, 

• natural disasters like volcanic eruptions and forest fires, industrial factories and billions of cars are just two factors that contribute to the deterioration of air quality in the country. About 85% of US energy comes from industries that burn fossil fuels, which causes 50% of America's pollution. 

4.Built Environments

Housing is a big part of human health and safety. But too many built settlements can harm the environment. A poorly designed built environment produces unnecessary waste. It also consumes excessive amounts of water and energy. 

5. Climate change

Climate change is recognized as the greatest threat facing humanity in the 21st century, disrupting nature in a variety of dangerous ways. Natural disasters also fall into this category. The threat of climate change is constantly increasing. According to the WMO, the number of disasters has quintupled over the past 50 years due to climate change and more extreme weather conditions.

How can the environment affect our health? 

If we are to survive and thrive as a species, it is vital that we take care of the needs of the environment as much as we take care of our own. These are just a few of the ways in which environmental health hazards can result in human health being compromised.

1. Respiratory Diseases

 Pollutants and toxins in the air can enter our lungs and cause serious respiratory diseases.Ensuring high air quality prevents this type of disease. And the effects will or will not be felt uniformly around the world. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution is higher in urban areas of the United States than in higher-income, mostly white neighborhoods. 

2.Increased Risk of Waterborne Diseases

Cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio can be transmitted through poor water and sanitation.  Each year an estimate of 4,85,000  deaths from diarrhea are caused due to contaminated drinking water.

People living in low-income communities are at higher risk of contracting infectious diseases, particularly waterborne diseases. 

3. Danger of Natural Disasters 

Even the healthiest of environments cannot escape the occasional natural disaster. But environmental health practices can significantly reduce their impact. 

4. Lack of nutrition

The lack of food often resembles the lack of healthy and affordable supermarkets nearby. This is known as the food desert. Without adequate access to nutrient-dense foods, our body systems cannot function optimally. Everyone has the right to live in an environment that supports and does not harm their health. 

What can we do to help?

 Fortunately, many industries are taking steps to reduce their air pollution emissions. More and more large companies rely on clean energy from solar and wind power instead of fossil fuels. Some manufacturers use technologies that destroy air pollution. at source before it enters the Earth's atmosphere.  We can all, as individuals, take practical steps to help improve our environmental health. These are just some of the things you can do.

1. Reduce your carbon footprint

 You can drastically reduce the amount of CO2 you add to the atmosphere by choosing modes of transportation other than cars or planes. If possible, reduce your carbon footprint by walking or cycling to work. 

2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The world is densely populated with industrial factories that emit harmful CO2 into the environment.Support the health of your environment by reusing and recycling the items you have whenever possible.

3.Grow Your Own Fruits and Vegetables 

By learning how to grow your own food you will learn valuable life skills. It's also therapeutic and a great way of self-care. With this growing wellness trend, you are doing your bit for your health and your environment at the same time.

4. Be careful of the products you use.

 Many of the products we use are made in factories that exploit both people and the environment. You can counteract this by being more aware of your products.