Health dept & partners to advocate for clean air policies on World Environment Day

The health department is set to commemorate World Environment Day this week by raising awareness about the impact of environmental factors on public health.
 
This year’s theme - Clean air, healthy people - underscores air pollution as a major global health threat responsible for millions of premature deaths and severe illnesses, including asthma, strokes, cancer, and heart disease. 
 
According to the World Health Organization, nearly the entire global population breathes air that exceeds guideline limits and contains dangerous levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the highest exposures.
 
To mark the day, spokesperson Foster Mohale said the department would host a two-day event in collaboration with various partners.
 
"Including the World Health Organization, International Federation of Environmental Health, South African Local Government Association and the National Association of Environmental Health in South Africa, will use this year's campaign to advocate for clean air policies and also honour the invaluable contributions of environmental health professionals stake stakeholders and educators across the globe."