We’re Celebrating World Health Day
Thursday 7 April marks World Health Day, and here at Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICS we’re celebrating too.
World Health Day marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) which was founded in 1948. Each year the WHO chooses a different focus, and this year it’s ‘Our Planet, Our Health’. For 2022’s campaign we are all encouraged to think about urgent actions we need to take together to keep humans and the planet healthy, and to work towards creating societies centred on wellbeing.
In the midst of a pandemic, a polluted planet and increasing diseases like cancer, asthma and heart disease, there has never been a better time to address the link between planet and health. 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.
The WHO is urging governments and the public to share stories of the steps they are taking to protect the planet and public health. We are all being encouraged to take action, inspire others and join the WHO’s 5 point plan:
- Walk or cycle to work at least once a week
- Change to a renewable energy provider, don’t overheat rooms and turn off lights when not in the room
- Buy your fresh groceries from local producers and avoid highly processed foods and drinks
- Tobacco is a killer and a polluter – stop consuming tobacco
- Buy less plastic, and use recyclable shopping bags
We can all do our bit to respond to the global climate emergency, so join us in making a difference for both our planet and our health.