GCHA Members from the Latin America Network share their experiences of how air pollution is damaging the lives of their patients and communities.
Next week, governments, health leaders, researchers, and multilateral organisations will gather in Colombia for the Second WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health. The GCHA community will be there in full force – amplifying our members’ voices, convening decision-makers, and sharing real-world examples of how tackling air pollution can deliver win-win solutions for public health and climate action.
Health professionals are seeing first-hand how air pollution is now the second leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for 7 million premature deaths annually. In fact air pollution surpasses tobacco and poor diet as a global risk factor. Its devastating impact on public health – contributing to cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders, and cancers – demands urgent, coordinated action.
Beyond its human toll, air pollution is also crippling economies and straining health systems. The global cost of air pollution-related health damage stands at $8.1 trillion (6.1% of global GDP). Increased hospitalisations, medical treatments, lost productivity, and premature deaths place enormous financial burdens on healthcare systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Yet, air pollution is preventable. Phasing out fossil fuels, expanding air quality monitoring, and implementing health-centred clean air policies are critical steps to reducing its deadly impact. Solutions don’t have to come at a high cost. Our new report to be released at the conference, highlights how lower and middle income countries are already making progress, with air pollution reduction efforts yielding widespread health and economic benefits.
The Second WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health offers comes at a critical moment. The gathering is about action, implementation, and cross-sector collaboration to drive real policy change. We urge all our networks to add their voices and sign the WHO’s Clean Air Declaration: Sign here.
The GCHA team and our members will be on the ground throughout the week, convening discussions with decision makers and advocating for urgent action. See our events here.
Our message is clear: Act now to strengthen health systems and eliminate fossil fuels. Tackle air pollution – save lives, improve health, and reduce healthcare costs.
Useful links
- Sign WHO’s Clean Air Declaration here.
- Check out GCHA and member events at the WHO Air Pollution Conference
- Watch GCHA Latin American Network members share their experiences of how air pollution is impacting their patients and communities.
- Learn more about the GCHA Roundtable: Advancing Policy Action and Health Leadership to Combat Air Pollution
