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.
EUHAC letter: Health for all: the next EU budget (MFF) as a driver for clean air for all
The EU Healthy Air Coalition (EUHAC), a coalition of diverse constituencies of the health sector, urges the Commission President to ensure that the next EU budget will help the EU substantially advance towards clean air and the prevention of the major diseases caused by air pollution.
HEAL response to the call for evidence on the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act
HEAL has responded to the call for evidence on the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act -…
HEAL input into EU public consultation on a new policy agenda for cities
HEAL's input into the EU initiative on Cities – a new policy agenda highlights the absence of the health dimension in most existing EU urban initiatives on sustainability and climate and urges for the setup of an EU urban health platform. The new urban agenda should also include providing financing to better protect residents from environmental, climate stressors under the next EU budget (MFF).
EEA: Greater efforts needed for clean air for 2030
Air pollution remains the largest environmental health risk for people in the EU, and more action to tackle it at the source is urgently needed, according to the 2025 edition of the Air Quality Status report by the European Environment Agency (EEA). As more health protective clean air standards will apply as of 2030, HEAL urges national and city authorities to step up on clean air measures, as progress has been too slow.
HEAL at 2nd WHO air quality conference: Global momentum for urgent clean air action and fossil fuel phase-out
HEAL and several of members participated in the Second World Health Organization Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Colombia, March 2025, to showcase how health engagement for clean air can make a difference, and to underline the urgency to act.
New briefing: External costs of climate change and air pollution in Poland
Climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss affect people’s health and generate multi-billion-euro economic losses, as a briefing produced by HEAL Poland under the patronage of the Institute of Water Economy and Meteorology of the National Research Institute and the Polish Federation of Asthma, Allergy, and COPD Patients Associations highlights.
New briefing: External costs of climate change and air pollution in Poland
Climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss affect people’s health and generate multi-billion-euro economic losses, as a briefing produced by HEAL Poland under the patronage of the Institute of Water Economy and Meteorology of the National Research Institute and the Polish Federation of Asthma, Allergy, and COPD Patients Associations highlights.
New policy brief on the health benefits of low emission zones in Brussels and Antwerp
A new policy brief, co-published by HEAL and the Independent Health Insurance Funds (Mutualités Libres), shows that the Belgian LEZs in Brussels and Antwerp have led to tangible air quality improvements in a period of only five years. Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution was reduced by 30% in Antwerp and 37% in Brussels.
Briefing: How clean air action can help address socio-economic health inequalities
As EU member states, regional and local authorities prepare to implement the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), this briefing by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) argues that decision-makers and authorities should pay particular attention to addressing socio-economic inequalities in their clean air efforts. The swift transposition and implementation of the new rules, with strengthened administrative collaboration and the full utilisation of financial support schemes, promise significant progress towards cleaner air across Europe. Improved air quality will be beneficial to everyone and contribute to preventing health inequalities for those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
New briefing on swift, health-based implementation of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive
Science has a crucial role to play in the implementation of the revised EU clean air law, according to a new briefing by the METEOR research cluster. The briefing showcases how the projects in this EU funded research cluster can help support policymakers in the design of clean air measures and help in evaluating those which are most beneficial to health.
Science review: The health impacts of nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
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 benefits of a Green Deal approach in Turkey
A new briefing by HEAL (in English and in Turkish), as part of the EU funded CISIP project, underlines the many health benefits that could be gained if Turkish decision-makers implemented stronger Green Deal action. Turkey’s Green Deal Action Plan, launched in 2021, sets 32 objectives and 81 actions, including on a Green and Circular Economy, secure energy supply and sustainable agriculture. However, contrary to the EU Green Deal which was adopted in 2019, the Turkish plan doesn’t set any tangible targets or deadlines.
Toolkit on ‘Communicating on air quality and health’
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
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?
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
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
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
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.
EUHAC letter: Health for all: the next EU budget (MFF) as a driver for clean air for all
The EU Healthy Air Coalition (EUHAC), a coalition of diverse constituencies of the health sector, urges the Commission President to ensure that the next EU budget will help the EU substantially advance towards clean air and the prevention of the major diseases caused by air pollution.
The next EU budget: Strengthening financing for zero pollution, climate resilience and disease prevention
In the coming months, EU institutions will negotiate the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The MFF is the EU’s long-term budget, usually covering a seven-year period. It details the public spending for different areas of EU policies, including environment and climate action.
Clean Industrial Deal: EU Healthy Air Coalition calls for Clean Air Deal
The EU Healthy Air Coalition has sent a letter to the European Commission concerning the Clean Industrial Deal, calling on the Commission to make the Clean Industrial Deal one which cleans up Europe's air, for better health for all - demanding a Clean Air Deal.
CSO statement: The EU Commission must provide guarantees on climate, nature and public health
Together with 180+ organisations, HEAL cal on the EU Commission to provide guarantees on climate, nature and public health, ensuring the protection of people.
Joint letter to EU environment ministers regarding confirmation of revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD)
HEAL, together with Bundesärztekammer and Deutsche Allianz Klimawandel und Gesundheit (KLUG), has sent a letter calling on EU environment ministers to confirm the revision of EU’s clean air standards (Ambient Air Quality Directives).
Letter: EU Healthy Air Coalition calls for confirmation of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directives
The EU Healthy Air Coalition, representing medical doctors, healthcare professionals, patient organisations and health insurers, call the members of the Environment Council of the EU to confirm the revision of EU’s clean air standards (Ambient Air Quality Directives).
Press release: Health groups welcome the confirmation of revised EU air quality law: milestone for public health
The EU Environment Ministers confirmed the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive. The revised legislation updates limits for key air pollutants in the EU to align more closely with the latest World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, and to reflect the serious health impacts of air pollution.
Wichtige Entscheidung im EU-Parlament für saubere Luft und Gesundheit
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
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
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
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
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.
