Over 12 million people died from environmental pollutions in 2012

In a recent report titled, ‘Preventing disease through healthy environments: a global assessment of the burden of disease from environmental risk’ by the World Health Organisation, over 12 million people have died from living in unhealthy areas.

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Commenting on the report, Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director General stated that a healthy environment underpins a healthy population.

Chan said that all countries should work towards a healthy environment for its populations, to decrease the death rate of young ones. Further emphasising that disease such as diarrhoea and malaria are related to poor water, sanitation and waste management.

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Stating cost effective measures to curtail environmental related disease and death, Chan stated that countries should avoid using solid fuels for cooking and the government should grant access to low-carbon energy technologies

“The report emphasises cost-effective measures that countries can take to reverse the upward trend of environment-related disease and deaths.

“These include reducing the use of solid fuels for cooking and increasing access to low-carbon energy technologies,’’ she said.

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Clan listed immunisation, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, essential medicines, access to safe water and sanitation as major contributors to curbing environment related diseases.