47m health professionals, patients, others sign WHO-backed call for action on air pollution to protect life

March 18, 2025
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Smoke from a factory chimney rises into the atmosphere.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that more than 47 million health professionals, patients, and advocates have signed a global call for urgent action to reduce air pollution in order to protect life on the planet.

This call aims to protect public health and combat air pollution’s devastating effects, which cause around seven million deaths annually from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, WHO said in a statement on Monday – yesterday, March 17.

The WHO, alongside international health organisations, will present this call at the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena, Colombia, in March 2025, that is, this month.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasised the need for bold, science-driven action to reduce emissions, enforce stricter air quality standards, and transition to cleaner energy, according to agency reports.

”The conference will gather political leaders, civil society representatives, and experts to drive a global clean air agenda, with a focus on addressing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) linked to air pollution, such as heart disease and lung cancer.

“WHO advocates for stronger air quality standards, particularly in low-income areas, to reduce the impact of dangerous household air pollution.”

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