Health science and policy summaries
The WHO Air Quality, Energy and Health Science and Policy Summaries (SPS) provide concise overviews of current knowledge and evidence on topics related to air quality, energy access, climate change, and health. These summaries aim to support decision-makers by presenting key insights from scientific research.
The SPS are developed through a multistakeholder consultation process that includes experts from WHO Advisory Groups – i.e., the Scientific Advisory Group on Air Pollution and Health (SAG), and the Global Air Pollution and Health – Technical Advisory Group (GAPH-TAG) – as well as specialists from WHO Collaborating Centres, UN agencies as well as other experts from academia and civil society.
Air quality, energy and health science and policy summaries
Science and policy summaries (SPS) on air quality, energy access and health: An introduction
For nearly 70 years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been at the forefront of global efforts to advance clean air for better health. Through its...
Exposure to health damaging air pollutants
Exposure to air pollution has significant adverse health effects, leading to nearly 1 in every 8 deaths globally. Air pollution affects all age groups,...
Household air pollution and related health impacts
More than a quarter of the global population still cook meals over open fires and/or on simple stoves fuelled by firewood, agricultural waste, dried dung,...
Green spaces: sectoral solutions for air pollution and health
Exposure to green spaces is widely associated with health benefits, including mental (e.g. reduced risk of depression and anxiety), physical (e.g. improved...
Understanding the health impacts of sand and dust storms
Sand and dust storms (SDS) result from turbulent winds that raise large quantities of particles from the ground into the air in emission areas. Emission...
Reducing open waste burning is essential for achieving clean air, clean energy access, climate change mitigation, and improved health and well-being. Globally,...
Agricultural air pollution is a significant but often under-recognized source of health and economic burdens worldwide. Beyond its impact on human health,...
Air quality legislation and implications for health
There is extensive evidence on the harmful health effects of air pollution, which has guided the development of WHO's Air Quality Guidelines. These guidelines...
Climate change, air pollution, pollen and health
Air pollution and climate change together worsen the health impacts of allergens like pollen and airborne biological particles, leading to increased inflammatory...
Projections indicate that climate change will result in more frequent and intense extreme weather events in the coming decades. Among these, an increase...
Phasing out coal-fired electric power generation: implications for public health: a case study in Canada
Canadian federal and provincial governments have effectively implemented policies to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the combustion of fossil...
A variety of global, regional, and transboundary initiatives have been established to support cooperation on air quality management, offering a strong...
Globally, transport is an important source of air pollution and generates the fourth largest share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While the growth...
Many sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly fossil fuel combustion, are also major sources of air pollutants, both indoors and outdoors....
Launch events