Our Planet: Our Health

"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."- Native American Proverb. We should all be concerned about the state of our global health. We are all responsible for the decaying situation of our planet. We have all added to the contaminated air, the noise pollution and the environment mess we now find ourselves in. Governments over the decades have turned a blind eye to matters concerning the environment and as such we are now paying dearly for their inaction. World Health Day is celebrated yearly on 7 April to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. Each year a theme is chosen that highlights an area of priority concern for the WHO. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, a polluted planet, and an increasing incidence of diseases, the theme for World Health Day 2022 is Our Planet, Our Health. This call from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the WHO, and partners, presents a unique opportunity for a green and healthy recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, that puts the health of individuals and the planet at the center of actions and fosters a movement to create societies focused on well-being. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in recent decades, enhancements in health services, environmental protection, economic development, and other factors have led to improvements in the health of people across the Region of the Americas. Nevertheless, an estimated one million premature deaths per year are attributable to known avoidable environmental risks. Additionally, the raging war in Ukraine as a result of Russia’s invasion have made it difficult for Ukrainians to access health care and other support services. Reports indicate that numerous children suffering from cancer have been flown out of Ukraine to other countries in order to continue their treatment. The attack on nuclear power plants by the invading Russian army, such as Chernobyl has also added to the environmental crisis we face as a planet. Many cities in Ukraine have been destroyed such as Mariupol and Bucha. We can imagine those who are in need of kidney dialysis in order to keep alive, or persons who are HIV positive who require antiretroviral drugs or those with non-communicable diseases are having a challenging time as the war rages on. Let us not forget that in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia another war is raging and the situation there is dire as the citizens face famine. There is documented evidence that food and rape have been used as weapons of war in both cases. Environmental Causes Globally, women and girls are disproportionately impacted by environmental abuses. The WHO estimates that more than 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable environmental causes. This includes the climate crisis which is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. The climate crisis is also a health crisis. Over 90% of people breathe unhealthy air resulting from burning of fossil fuels. A heating world is seeing mosquitoes spread diseases farther and faster than ever before. Extreme weather events, land degradation and water scarcity are displacing people and affecting their health. Pollution and plastics are found at the bottom of our deepest oceans, the highest mountains, and have made their way into our food chain. Systems that produce highly processed, unhealthy foods and beverages are driving a wave of obesity, increasing cancer and heart disease while generating a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Our planet and our health need much to be desired. Air pollution, contaminated water, inadequate sanitation including solid waste management, risks related to certain hazardous chemicals, and negative impacts of climate change are the most pressing environmental public health threats in the Region. These threats to public health are compounded by weak governance practices and potential inequities in health as well as by limited leadership, expertise, and resources in the health sector. However, this theme of Our Planet, Our Health should be a powerful reminder to us that the resolution of many of these issues are beyond the exclusive purview of the health sector and, as a consequence, an effective response will demand whole- of- government and whole- of- society approaches. We must be mindful that the manner in which we treat our environment will and does impact the state of our health. A Re-Imagined World Let us re-imagine a world where clean air, water and adequate food is available to all. As citizens of this planet we all have a role to play in building a world with clean air, safe water, and sanitation, where healthy food is available to all, cities are livable, economies are climate-resilient and focused on health and well-being. All is not lost, there is still hope for the planet. However, breaking these cycles of destruction for the planet and human health requires legislative action, corporate reform and individuals to be supported and incentivized to make healthy choices. Have a safe and inspired World Health Day. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #OurPlanetOurHealth #WorldHealthDay #HealthierTomorrow