Worldwide, 13 million deaths could be prevented every year by
making our environments healthier.
Fact 2:
In children under the age of five, one third of all disease is
caused by the environmental factors such
as unsafe water and air
pollution.
Fact 3:
Every year, the lives of four million children under 5 years –
mostly in developing countries – could
be saved by preventing
environmental risks such as unsafe water and polluted air.
Fact 4:
Better environmental management could prevent 40% of deaths from
malaria, 41% of deaths from
lower respiratory infections, and 94% of
deaths from diarrhea disease – three of the world's biggest
childhood killers.
Fact 5:
In the least developed countries, one third of death and disease is
a direct result of environmental causes.
Fact 6:
In developed countries, healthier environments could significantly
reduce the incidence of cancers, cardiovascular
diseases, asthma,
lower respiratory infections, musculoskeletal diseases, road traffic
injuries, poisonings,
and drowning.
Fact 7:
Environmental factors influence 85 out of the 102 categories of
diseases and injuries listed in The world
health report.
Fact 8:
Much of this death, illness and disability could be prevented
through well targeted interventions such as promoting
safe household water
storage, better hygiene measures and the use of cleaner and safer fuels.
Fact 9:
Other interventions that can make environments healthier
include: increasing the safety of buildings;
promoting safe, careful use and
management of toxic substances at home and in the workplace;
and better water
resource management.
