World Environmental Health Day (WEHD) is commemorated globally on September 26 each year to raise awareness about the vital role that environmental health plays in the well-being of communities. 26 September 2024 marked the 13th World Environmental Health Day. Established by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) in 2011, this day serves as a reminder that the quality of our environment directly affects human health and the overall quality of life. It’s celebrated every year to not only raise awareness of the profession and the health threats that need to be addressed, but as an opportunity for organizations around the globe to band together and host events that encourage environmental health literacy.
This year’s theme; “Environmental Health: Creating resilient communities through disaster risk reduction and climate change mitigation and adaptation” focuses on climate change and disaster risks that are fundamental threats to sustainable development, the living and health conditions for all humans in the globe and exacerbation of poverty. The event is an opportunity to advocate for policies and practices that promote healthy environments, build resilient communities and promote sustainable development.
Objectives of the Commemoration
•To raise awareness of the environmental health and climate change challenges that impact communities, particularly vulnerable populations.
•To promote dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders in addressing environmental health issues and climate change.
•To highlight the link between environmental health and the achievement of global development goals.
•To foster action on critical issues like climate change, pollution, and access to clean water and sanitation.
•To advocate for policies and practices that promote building of reliant communities and promote sustainable development.
The negative impacts threaten to reverse decades of development gains. Building resilient and sustainable communities means addressing both climate change and disaster risks, integrating these risks, and potential opportunities, into development planning and budgeting. The theme is centered on the understanding and acknowledging the upstream health determinants caused by environmental conditions where people are born, eat, live, and grow.
From air and water pollution to food safety and climate change, environmental health issues have widespread impacts that transcend national boundaries. The goal of World Environmental Health Day is to highlight these issues and promote global efforts to address them through
sustainable practices, innovative solutions, and cross-sector collaboration.
Key Messages
1.Environmental Health is Key to Sustainable Development
Ensuring a healthy environment is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to health, water and sanitation, clean energy, and climate action.
2.Climate Change and Public Health
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges to global health. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and pollution are leading to increased disease burdens, particularly in marginalized communities. We must act now to mitigate its effects.
3.Healthy Environments, Healthy Lives
Clean air, water, and food are fundamental rights. We must work to reduce pollution, ensure sustainable agricultural practices, and safeguard ecosystems to protect public health.
4.Collaboration for Environmental Health
The fight for environmental health requires collaboration between governments, private sectors, communities, and individuals. Joint efforts will ensure resilient healthcare systems, healthy populations, and sustainable development.
KUTRRH’s Involvement and Contribution Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH) celebrated the World Environmental Health Day 2024 with a focus on raising awareness about the critical link between environmental health and public well-being. The hospital organized educational sessions on the importance of clean water, proper waste management, and air quality, all in alignment with this year’s global theme of building resilient communities. To encourage community participation, a clean-up drive was organized to address local waste management issues, followed by a tree-planting activity aimed at promoting urban reforestation and mitigating local air pollution. The event also emphasized climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction as key components for healthier communities and future
generation.
Conclusion
World Environmental Health Day 2024 serves as a reminder that protecting our environment is essential for safeguarding our health and achieving sustainable development. The commemoration is a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to make environmental health a priority, ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for all.