Many chronic and acute diseases – such as cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes and obesity and also mental illnesses – are caused by or worsened by pollution in our present and past environments.
HEAL works with Global organisations like WHO and UNEP, European institutions and organisations as well as national decision-makers and partners to prevent this environmental burden of disease by stronger policy action.
European Parliament safeguards future of EU financing for environmental health action
11th December 2018
Health voices across the EU welcome steps made by Members of the European Parliament to prioritise health and environment in the next EU budget cycle, in a vote on the next LIFE programme (2021-2017) today.
Coal phase out for health overdue
10th December 2018
A new briefing by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) (also available in German and and Turkish) demonstrates that 50% of the global lignite mining and use is taking place in Europe. Lignite coal – also called brown coal – is a form of coal that is highly inefficient and polluting. Assessing lignite and hard coal over their life cycles shows that lignite is the most health harming form of coal and should be abolished as soon as possible.
HEAL Poland report on the impact of climate change on health
8th December 2018
HEAl's office in Poland, together with the Polish Climate Coalition has published a report on 'The impact of climate change on health in Poland' - now the Executive Summary is available in English
Health groups call for greater EU leadership in tackling climate change
29th November 2018
New research published in The Lancet medical journal today shows that emissions, climate change and rising temperatures are already exposing people everywhere to an unacceptably high health risk. The independent, interdisciplinary research collaboration Lancet Countdown identified that last year globally, 157 million more vulnerable people were subjected to a heatwave than in 2000.
Spotlight on climate change and health
28th November 2018
During COP24, several events will shed light on the health impacts of climate change, the…
HEAL’s vision for Europe leading the way towards a non-toxic environment
7th June 2018
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) today released its vision for Europe leading the transition…
New HEAL briefing: Healthy buildings, healthier people
28th May 2018
Buildings: They shape our health and well being on a daily basis regardless of whether…
Climate mitigation is win-win for public health
25th May 2016
A new publication in German by HEAL aims to shed light on a neglected topic…
Breast Cancer: Preventing the preventable
14th April 2008
This leaflet briefly describes the evidence that hormonally active chemicals may be implicated in breast cancer.
Breast Cancer: Factors influencing the risk of breast cancer – established and emerging
14th April 2008
This briefing summarises the key information on all the risk factors and breast cancer with particular focus on the potential role of certain chemicals in the environment.
EU should ban brain-harming chlorpyrifos to protect health
1st August 2018
Today, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) together with Générations Futures, Pesticide Action Network Europe…
HEAL fact sheet – Chronic disease and environment
13th September 2011
In lieu of the European Parliament voting on a Resolution on the EU position and commitment in advance to the UN high-level meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable disease, HEAL produced a fact sheet titled ’Chronic disease: How do environmental factors play a role?’
Letter to European Commission on the non-toxic environment strategy
7th June 2018
Under the seventh Environmental Action Plan (7th EAP), the European Commission is committed to the…
HEAL receives response from upcoming Austrian presidency to call for ambition for health and the environment
3rd May 2018
On 17 April 2018, HEAL sent a letter to the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz ahead…
HEAL encourages an ambitious Austrian presidency for health and the environment
17th April 2018
In a few months Austria will be taking over the presidency of the Council of…
HEAL urges French President to act in favour of European transition towards a non-toxic environment
16th April 2018
French President Emmanuel Macron will be addressing the European Parliament on Tuesday 17 April 2018…
European Parliament safeguards future of EU financing for environmental health action
11th December 2018
Health voices across the EU welcome steps made by Members of the European Parliament to prioritise health and environment in the next EU budget cycle, in a vote on the next LIFE programme (2021-2017) today.
Coal phase out for health overdue
10th December 2018
A new briefing by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) (also available in German and and Turkish) demonstrates that 50% of the global lignite mining and use is taking place in Europe. Lignite coal – also called brown coal – is a form of coal that is highly inefficient and polluting. Assessing lignite and hard coal over their life cycles shows that lignite is the most health harming form of coal and should be abolished as soon as possible.
Health groups call for greater EU leadership in tackling climate change
29th November 2018
New research published in The Lancet medical journal today shows that emissions, climate change and rising temperatures are already exposing people everywhere to an unacceptably high health risk. The independent, interdisciplinary research collaboration Lancet Countdown identified that last year globally, 157 million more vulnerable people were subjected to a heatwave than in 2000.
Green NGOs welcome environmental commitments in Brexit deal
26th November 2018
After almost two years of negotiations, an agreement on the UK's withdrawal from the EU,…
Will business secrecy keep defeating the public’s right to know on food safety?
25th September 2018
As discussions about a European Commission proposal on the transparency of EU food safety data are underway in both the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, organisers of the #StopGlyphosate European Citizens’ Initiative warned that to live up to its promising objectives, the proposal must be amended.
Endocrine disruptors – Put exposure reduction at the centre of EU action now, urge health groups
17th July 2018
As the European Commission’s consultation on a roadmap for a framework on endocrine disrupting chemicals…
Swept under the rug: new report reveals toxics in European carpets threatening health, environment and circular economy
6th March 2018
Brussels - Toxic substances linked to a range of adverse health impacts can be present…
Non-Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants
29th August 2013
This briefing paper aims to provide latest knowledge on Non Communicable Diseases from some of the leading experts and organisations from four perspectives: women’s organisations, health sector, developing countries and trade unions.
Unpaid Health Bill – how coal power plants make us sick
7th March 2013
In March 2013, HEAL launched the first ‘Unpaid Health Bill – How coal power plants…
