News
WHO #KeepCool campaign for 2022: preparing for a warm and dry summer in Europe
24 May 2022WHO/Europe launched its annual #KeepCool campaign, during the European Public Health Week (16 - 20 May 2022), to remind all people that in periods of hot weather it is essential to take measures to keep cool in order to avoid negative health effects.
High levels of air pollution increase health risk linked to high temperatures in Europe
24 May 2022The report from the EU project EXHAUSTION: “Interactive Effects of High Temperature and Air Pollution in Europe” summarizes the evidence from analyses on the interactive effects of high temperature and various air pollutants on heart and lung related death and diseases. The findings highlight the urgency in improving air quality across Europe, and for policymakers that climate change adaptation measures need to be also taken into account to protect vulnerable subgroups.
New health related information published on the European Climate and Health Observatory
20 May 2022In the first months of 2022 new climate and health materials - such as an analysis on key climate impacts on human health in national policy documents; European health policies and activities; evidence review of the climate change impacts on mental health, and updated indicators on health - were published in the Observatory webpage.
Health as a lever for action on climate change
05 May 2022On the occasion of the French presidency of the Council of the European Union, Santé publique France and The International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) organised a discussion day on climate change and public health on 8 April 2022. The event aimed to raise better awareness of the interlinkages between climate, biodiversity and health in public policies, and to encourage concrete actions at the local, national and European level to adapt to climate change.
10 Key heat health messages from the IPCC AR6 report
06 Apr 2022The Working Group II contribution to the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report – AR6 Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability – released 28 February 2022, includes important messages about current and future impacts of extreme heat on human health.
Global warming projected to increase health burden from hyponatremia
08 Mar 2022Global warming is likely to increase the number of people requiring hospitalisation due to critically low sodium levels in the blood, a condition known as hyponatremia. A new study projects that a temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius would increase the burden on hospitals from hyponatremia by almost 14%.
Green space in European cities is key to well-being – but access varies
01 Feb 2022High-quality green and blue spaces in cities, like parks, riverbanks and coastlines, are crucial for health and well-being, in particular for the elderly, children and people on low incomes. A European Environment Agency briefing shows that access is not equal, and that cities in the north and west of Europe tend to have more green space than cities in southern and eastern Europe.
Europeans see climate change as top challenge for the EU
25 Jan 2022Nine out of 10 young Europeans agree that tackling climate change can help improve their own health and well-being, while 84% of those aged 55 or over agree. Almost every second European (49%) sees climate change as the main global challenge for the future of the EU, according to a special Eurobarometer on the Future of Europe.
European Innovation Council Horizon Prize on Early Warning for Epidemics: Commission awards €5 million to winning project
17 Jan 2022The European Commission launched a prize to reward the best Earth observation-based prototype to forecast and monitor vector-borne diseases. The winner of the €5 million European Innovation Council (EIC) Horizon Prize on Early Warning for Epidemics is Greece-based project EarlY WArning System for Mosquito-borne Diseases (EYWA). The EYWA project transforms scientific knowledge into a decision-making tool, contributing significantly to combatting and controlling the threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) contributes to the international approach to Climate change and Health
04 Nov 2021A special edition of the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) magazine on climate change and health showcases the knowledge and advice that is contributing to solutions for health-related climate impacts at local, regional, national and international levels. Featured topics in this edition include: international approach to health effects of climate change; five questions about climate change and infectious disease; greener streets in Dutch cities; public focus on wind turbines and health.