News
Environmental Hazards Cause 1.7 Million Deaths Per Year
March 7, 2017A recent World Health Organization (WHO) report links poor sanitation, contaminated water, and inadequate hygiene to the deaths of 1.7 million children worldwide per year.
The most common causes of death for one in four children under five, such as diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia, could be prevented by improvements to water, air quality, and cleaning practices, according to the WHO report.
“A polluted environment results in a heavy toll on the health of our children,” said Dr. Maria Niera, WHO director of department of public health, environmental, and social determinants of health. “Investing in the removal of environmental risks to health, such as improving water quality or using cleaner fuels, will result in massive health benefits.”
