According to the WHO, indoor and outdoor air pollution is the single largest environmental health risk, causing numerable noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, stroke and lung cancer as well as increasing the risk for acute respiratory infections.
HEAL works with global, European, national and local partners and decision-makers to decrease those preventable diseases and to protect those most vulnerable – pregnant women, children, the elderly and those already ill or poor.
Press note: Air quality: HEAL comment on today’s EP plenary vote
13th September 2023
Today, the European Parliament plenary voted on the revision of the EU’s Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) (2022/0347(COD)).
The report by rapporteur Javi Lopez was voted on with 363 in favour, 226 against, and 46 abstentions.
Press note: Will members of the European Parliament vote for better health on 13 September?
8th September 2023
Next Wednesday, 13 September 2023, the European Parliament will vote on the revision of the…
Health groups’ letter to members of the European Parliament: support the Lopez report
7th September 2023
Today, the health groups Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA), European Respiratory Society (ERS), International Society of Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) Europe, Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and Mutualités Libres/Onafhankelijke Ziekenfondsen sent a letter to all members of the European Parliament.
Aufruf des Gesundheitssektors an Bundeskanzler Scholz anlässlich des Internationalen Tags der Sauberen Luft
7th September 2023
Die Deutsche Allianz Klimawandel und Gesundheit e.V. (KLUG) und die Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) wenden sich deshalb am Internationalen Tag der Sauberen Luft in einem offenen Brief an Herrn Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz und fordern ihn auf, sich stärker für bessere Luftqualität einzusetzen.
Webinar series: The healthy and clean city of tomorrow
11th August 2023
In June 2023, HEAL organised a series of three webinars to put a spotlight on…
Webinar: Building Health Bridges for Clean Air
4th August 2023
The webinar series is open to health sector representatives, who want to build their knowledge on the relevant science, and anyone interested and working on the topics of healthy transport and healthy cities.
Science review: The health impacts of nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
30th June 2023
A new science review commissioned by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) shows the significant impact of the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on health.
Health threats of short-term winter smog in Poland
16th May 2023
Today, HEAL Poland has published an analysis of particulate matter air pollution in Poland during…
Toolkit (EN, IT, DE): Advocating for clean air – how to communicate the science
19th July 2022
HEAL has produced a science to policy communications toolkit for fellow NGOs and anyone working on clean air advocacy.
Recommendations from the Turkish health sector on improving air quality
30th June 2022
Turkey is a country with a high burden of disease from air pollution. Poor air…
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.
Toolkit on ‘Communicating on air quality and health’
10th October 2018
In spite of the work carried out by the EU institutions, the Member States, many…
Clean Air for Health – the disease burden caused by air pollution
26th June 2023
Air pollution is the top environmental threat to health in Europe. It leads to hundreds…
HEAL’s demands for clean air for health, for everyone
11th April 2023
Air pollution is the top environmental risk to health in Europe and everyone is vulnerable…
HEAL and European Cancer Leagues relaunch infographic illustrating how Europe can prevent cancer by tackling environmental pollutants
25th May 2022
To mark the start of the European Week Against Cancer 2022, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the European Cancer Leagues (ECL) have teamed up to relaunch an infographic telling the story behind environmental cancer prevention.
Mental health and cities
13th May 2022
Our new infographic explores the links between cities, climate change, air pollution and mental health…
Healthy Mobility: A new approach to urban space environments
11th May 2022
Across Europe, from East to West, North to South, mayors and local decision-makers have initiated…
Health groups’ letter to members of the European Parliament: support the Lopez report
7th September 2023
Today, the health groups Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA), European Respiratory Society (ERS), International Society of Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) Europe, Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and Mutualités Libres/Onafhankelijke Ziekenfondsen sent a letter to all members of the European Parliament.
Aufruf des Gesundheitssektors an Bundeskanzler Scholz anlässlich des Internationalen Tags der Sauberen Luft
7th September 2023
Die Deutsche Allianz Klimawandel und Gesundheit e.V. (KLUG) und die Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) wenden sich deshalb am Internationalen Tag der Sauberen Luft in einem offenen Brief an Herrn Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz und fordern ihn auf, sich stärker für bessere Luftqualität einzusetzen.
Joint letter to ENVI MEPs: Health organisations’ recommendations to step up on clean air for health with science-based air quality standards
17th March 2023
The European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety is currently considering the proposal to revise the EU’s ambient air quality directives (AAQD), a cornerstone for the protection of people’s health and the environment from air pollution.
Today, HEAL, together with six more health organisations, has written to members of the committee, urging them tostep up on the European Commission’s proposal, to reduce ill-health and health cost swiftly and significantly.
Letter from Europe’s environmental NGOs on the cars CO2 deal
13th March 2023
HEAL and others have written to German chancellor Scholz and vice-chancellor Habeck with concern regarding the recent political backpedalling and confusion created by the German government that has led to the postponement of the Council vote on the new CO2 standards for cars and vans.
The NGOs have called on them to stand firm and confirm the support of your government for the existing agreement without further delay.
Joint letter to EU environment ministers: Health groups’ recommendations to step up on clean air for health with science-based air quality standards
15th December 2022
HEAL, together with CPME, EFA, AIM, EPHA and Mutualites Libres, has today sent a joint letter to EU environment ministers who are currently considering the proposal to revise the EU’s ambient air quality directives (AAQD), a cornerstone for the protection of people’s health and the environment from air pollution...
Luftqualität: Gesundheit durch neue Standards schützen
28th October 2022
Luftqualität: Gesundheit durch neue Standards schützen Hohe Risiken für akute und chronische Krankheiten durch Feinstaub…
Press note: Air quality: HEAL comment on today’s EP plenary vote
13th September 2023
Today, the European Parliament plenary voted on the revision of the EU’s Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) (2022/0347(COD)).
The report by rapporteur Javi Lopez was voted on with 363 in favour, 226 against, and 46 abstentions.
Press note: Will members of the European Parliament vote for better health on 13 September?
8th September 2023
Next Wednesday, 13 September 2023, the European Parliament will vote on the revision of the…
Air quality: HEAL comment on today’s EP ENVI committee vote
27th June 2023
Anne Stauffer, Deputy Director of the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) comments:
“The ENVI committee has taken a major step towards cleaner air for everyone today: health groups are delighted that MEPs followed the science, and people’s needs by supporting an ambitious overhaul of the EU’s clean air standards. More...
Press note: Three points to look out for in this week’s EP ENVI air quality debate
20th March 2023
Health groups asked members of the EP ENVI committee to step up on clean air for health with science-based air quality standards.
Gesundheitsverbände fordern stärkere Anstrengungen zur Verbesserung der Luftqualität
23rd February 2023
Die Bundesärztekammer und die Gesundheitsverbände Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) und Deutsche Allianz Klimawandel und Gesundheit (KLUG) fordern dringende Maβnahmen, um die unterschätzte Krankheitslast durch Luftverschmutzung und insbesondere Feinstaub zu senken. Bei der aktuellen Überarbeitung der Luftqualitätsgrenzwerte auf EU-Ebene sollte sich die Bundesregierung für die vollständige Angleichung der Grenzwerte mit Empfehlungen der Weltgesundheitsorganisation bis 2030 einsetzen, damit Deutschland und die EU Vorreiter beim Gesundheitsschutz werden.
Luftqualität: Gesundheit durch neue Standards schützen
28th October 2022
Luftqualität: Gesundheit durch neue Standards schützen Hohe Risiken für akute und chronische Krankheiten durch Feinstaub…
