HEAL’s work in the Balkan region focuses on air pollution, climate change, and coal power’s contribution to health damages. We work with the main health actors such as Public Health Institutes, Ministries of Health, health organisations, and grassroots initiatives working towards clean air.
We also run the Unmask My City campaign in the region, continuously raise awareness on the health toll caused by fossil fuel energy and call for fair, efficient and sustainable energy systems that will cut down air pollution and energy poverty in the region.
Contact person:
Vlatka Matkovic Puljic, vlatka@env-health.org, +32 (0)2 329 00 82
Leading Western Balkans health experts call on leaders in the region to set ambitious plans for zero air pollution policy
2nd June 2022
Leading health experts working in the Western Balkans, together with the Health and Environment Alliance…
Health experts demand more attention and action on the public health threat of wood burning in the Western Balkans
27th January 2022
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has today launched a briefing exploring the public health threat of wood-burning in the Western Balkans, as a major contributor to air pollution in the region. The briefing presents evidence-based arguments on wood burning and scientific data to support decision-making, as the Western Balkans and the EU shift to a carbon-neutral and healthy future.
Air pollution and health in Western Balkan cities
9th December 2021
A new series of HEAL briefings showcases the sources of air pollution in four cities in the Western Balkan region, and highlights why a phase out of coal power generation and fossil fuels in general would be beneficial especially for city residents.
There is no “safe level” of air pollution
18th October 2021
Health groups call on the leaders of the Western Balkan countries to harmonize national air quality standards with the World Health Organization Global air quality guidelines. Health experts should be actively involved in these decision-making processes to ensure the timely integration of public health measures into environmental policies. Compliance with WHO recommendations brings multiple benefits – reduced incidence of chronic diseases and premature deaths, reduced overall health costs and, most importantly, better health and higher productivity of people.
