WHPA calls on world leaders to stop air pollution

The World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA) and the global health community are calling for urgent action for clean air at the WHO’s 2nd global conference on air pollution and health, being held on 25-27 March in Cartagena, Colombia.

Represented at this invitation-only conference by Lujain Alqodmani, immediate past president of WHPA member WMA (World Medical Association), WHPA is highlighting the need for health professionals to be included in decision making to reduce air pollution.

“Health professionals are frontline witnesses to the impacts of air pollution. Through their grass-roots experience and knowledge, they can provide uniquely valuable input to cooperation between all the sectors involved in acting for clean air. Climate and health must be a whole-of-society effort,” she said.

Accordingly the WHO conference brings together Ministers of Health, Environment and Energy, representatives of the energy, transport, industry, waste and land-use sectors, as well as academics and civil society. Among the key objectives of the conference are showcasing health, climate, gender and equity co-benefits of action on air pollution and energy; and leveraging health arguments to drive country cooperation and financial commitments.

WHPA has also signed the conference’s Call to Action, jointly organized by WHPA members ICN (International Council of Nurses) and WMA along with other partners, on the initiative of WHO. The Call demands bold action from governments, the private sector and civil society to clean the air for all by making a fair and just transition to clean energy. It highlights that clean air is not a luxury but a human right and vital for the health and well-being of all, especially the most vulnerable.

The Call also commits the signatories to lead by example. WHPA fully supports its demand to “Champion health and care workers in leadership and decision-making roles to influence air quality policies and initiatives in ways that prioritize patient, public health, and health systems.”