US EPA, WHO partner to protect public health

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organisation (WHO) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement continues EPA-WHO collaboration on a wide range of specific and crosscutting environment and health issues, particularly air pollution, water and sanitation, children’s health, and health risks due to climate change. The updated agreement includes new actions on issues including infrastructure and environmental justice. EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment fully aligns with WHO’s charge to lead global efforts to promote health for everyone, everywhere. The WHO estimates that 24 per cent of all global deaths, and 28 per cent of deaths among children under five, are linked to the environment, and people in low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest disease burden. Over the next five years, EPA and WHO will focus on addressing the health impacts of climate change. Ongoing efforts will address many environmental determinants of health affected by climate change, including clean air and safe drinking water. Collaboration will also continue to focus on protecting children by reducing exposure to toxic substances, in particular lead-based paint.