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.
Letter: EU Healthy Air Coalition calls to strengthen EU clean air measures to sustain quality of life
6th September 2024
The EU Healthy Air Coalition, representing medical doctors, healthcare professionals, patient organisations and health insurers, which HEAL is a part of, call on the European Commission President von der Leyen, to prevent health impacts from air pollution. The coalition calls to award clean air a prominent mandate priority at Vice-Presidency level, in order to save costs and protect those most vulnerable.
HEAL Poland highlights importance of clean air for school kids – and how to get there
3rd September 2024
In September, as children in Poland return to school, a HEAL initiative focuses on raising awareness with parents on the importance of clean air around schools, and on encouraging healthy school mobility and school streets.
Clean Air Day: Time to act to tackle socio-economic inequality and protect health, especially in cities
2nd September 2024
Air pollution is the leading environmental health threat in Europe, yet with targeted policy measures it can be largely preventable. While air pollution can affect everyone, certain people are more at-risk including children, pregnant women, the elderly or those living with disease. Another often overlooked risk factor, especially by policymakers, are the socio-economic conditions people live in.
Letter to the President of the European Commission on protecting people’s health against climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss
1st August 2024
HEAL calls on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to commit to protecting people’s health from the triple crisis during her second term in a letter. HEAL urges her to safeguard and strengthen the EU climate and environmental acquis for better health, and accelerate on the zero pollution path, including for the foreseen reform of the EU chemicals law REACH.
Green 10 letter to the President of the European Parliament calling to address the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergency
26th July 2024
The Green 10 coalition, which HEAL is a part of, encourages the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola upon her re-election to put the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergency at the forefront of her tenure.
Green 10 letter to the President of the European Commission on upholding and scaling up Green Deal commitments
26th July 2024
The Green 10 coalition, which HEAL is a part of, encourages the EU Commission President to prioritize and scale up the Green Deal commitments towards zero pollution, thriving nature and health.
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…
New infographic on the health and climate threat from wood burning
11th March 2024
A new infographic entitled “Wood burning: a false solution fuelling the climate crisis and harming…
Infographic: What is nitrogen dioxide and how does exposure to it affect your health?
23rd November 2023
The new HEAL infographic in English and Polish outlines the most important facts about nitrogen dioxide and its impact on health and highlights what actions should be taken to protect people the pollutant.
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.
Letter: EU Healthy Air Coalition calls to strengthen EU clean air measures to sustain quality of life
6th September 2024
The EU Healthy Air Coalition, representing medical doctors, healthcare professionals, patient organisations and health insurers, which HEAL is a part of, call on the European Commission President von der Leyen, to prevent health impacts from air pollution. The coalition calls to award clean air a prominent mandate priority at Vice-Presidency level, in order to save costs and protect those most vulnerable.
Letter to the President of the European Commission on protecting people’s health against climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss
1st August 2024
HEAL calls on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to commit to protecting people’s health from the triple crisis during her second term in a letter. HEAL urges her to safeguard and strengthen the EU climate and environmental acquis for better health, and accelerate on the zero pollution path, including for the foreseen reform of the EU chemicals law REACH.
Green 10 letter to the President of the European Parliament calling to address the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergency
26th July 2024
The Green 10 coalition, which HEAL is a part of, encourages the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola upon her re-election to put the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergency at the forefront of her tenure.
Green 10 letter to the President of the European Commission on upholding and scaling up Green Deal commitments
26th July 2024
The Green 10 coalition, which HEAL is a part of, encourages the EU Commission President to prioritize and scale up the Green Deal commitments towards zero pollution, thriving nature and health.
Letter: Protecting people’s health against climate, environmental threats and reducing health economic cost
16th July 2024
HEAL has sent a letter to Members of the European Parliament urging them to commit to protecting health against climate, environmental threats in the next five years, in their positions on legislative proposals as well as in all budgetary and financial decisions.
Letter: Keep health in the scope of the EP’s ENVI Committee
1st July 2024
In a letter, HEAL urges Members of the European Parliament to keep the current scope of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) to protect health against the triple crises of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
Wichtige Entscheidung im EU-Parlament für saubere Luft und Gesundheit
25th April 2024
Das Europäische Parlament hat heute mit großer Mehrheit (381 Stimmen) die vorläufige Trilog-Vereinbarung zur Überarbeitung…
Press note: The EU Healthy Air Coalition welcomes European Parliament vote for cleaner air and better health
24th April 2024
The European Parliament adopted today by a large majority the provisional trilogue agreement on the revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directives (AAQD), to update the EU’s clean air standards dating from 2008.
Press release: Clean air in cities for better health
23rd April 2024
Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to everyone's health across the EU, and one of the leading risk factors for chronic diseases. Today, pathways to reach clean air in cities by 2030 will be discussed by more than 340 participants from 33 countries at an international conference taking place in Brussels.
EU geht wichtigen Schritt, um Menschen europaweit vor Luftverschmutzung zu schützen
21st February 2024
Berlin / Brüssel, 21. Februar 2024 Gesundheitsexpert:innen begrüßen die gestern im Trilog erzielte Einigung zur Aktualisierung der…
Press release: Faced with a public health emergency from air pollution, the EU is one step closer to finally tackling it
21st February 2024
Health groups across Europe call for the European Parliament and member states to swiftly adopt the agreement reached in trilogue on updating EU’s clean air standards (revised Ambient Air Quality Directive). The deal includes updates on maximum levels for the major air pollutants, strengthened monitoring requirements, better information to people including vulnerable groups. The draft law also introduces new access to justice and compensation rules.
Press note: Health groups from across the EU call for ambitious air quality law
19th February 2024
As the Ambient Air Quality Directive revision negotiations are ramping up ahead of the final trilogue on 20 February 2024 health experts from across the EU, including from Germany, Poland, Italy, France and Spain, warn decision makers about the potential impacts of exemptions and delays.
