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 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.
HEAL response to articles in DIE WELT on NGO funding
HEAL response to the articles in the German newspaper DIE WELT “Secret contracts and powerful…
HEAL response to public consultation on the next EU budget 2028-2034
HEAL has given input to a consultation on priorities for the next EU long-term budget 2028-2034. The EU budget sets the framework for public spending on EU policies: Now is the time to set the EU on the path for ambitious investments into protection Europeans’ health against climate and environmental threats, especially pollution.
Letter to MEP SANT committee: Prioritise health as a core component of Europe’s new Preparedness Union Strategy.
HEAL has sent a letter to the European Parliament’s Public Health Committee (SANT) ahead of the European Commission's presentation on its new Preparedness Union Strategy — “Reinforcing Europe’s resilience in a changing world” to the committee.
Press note – Health groups urge to address burden of pollution in EU long-term budget deliberations
The May 2025 vote on the European Parliament’s priorities for the next EU long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034) included many important health considerations, including on financing for measures to prevent climate change and biodiversity loss. Unfortunately, MEPs failed to include financing to address pollution and the related health impacts. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) calls on earmarking at least 10% of the next EU budget for zero pollution objectives across various funding instruments.
Letter to EC President Von der Leyen calling to uphold climate, nature and public health priorities in the next EU budget
HEAL and eight more Brussels-based organisations have sent a letter to EU Commission President von der Leyen and all EU Commissioners, urging them to uphold climate, nature and public health priorities in the next EU budget.
Letter to MEPs: Civil society engagement at the heart of the European project
Ahead of the upcoming EP plenary vote on 7 May on the 2023 discharge: EU general budget – Commission, executive agencies and European Development Funds, HEAL has sent a letter to MEPs urging them to stand in support of a strong, independent and vibrant civil society.
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.
HEAL’s vision for Europe leading the way towards a non-toxic environment
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) today released its vision for Europe leading the transition…
Climate mitigation is win-win for public health
A new publication in German by HEAL aims to shed light on a neglected topic…
Breast Cancer: Preventing the preventable
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
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.
How PFAS chemicals affect women, pregnancy and human development: Health actors call for urgent action to phase them out
The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) have published a fact sheet and infographic to call for immediate action against “forever chemicals”, to protect reproductive health, fertility and human development.
EU should ban brain-harming chlorpyrifos to protect health
Today, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) together with Générations Futures, Pesticide Action Network Europe…
HEAL fact sheet – Chronic disease and environment
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?’
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.
How does early-life exposure to environmental pollutants affect our health? New flyer and video from the ATHLETE project
Have you ever wondered whether and how our everyday environment and activities affect our health? The ATHLETE project is designed to answer these questions by studying the Human Exposome – the totality of environmental exposures from conception to adulthood. Today we are excited to launch a new flyer and video to present the key activities of our research project.
Mutualités Libres and HEAL launch infographic illustrating 10 tips to avoid endocrine disruptors in and around your home
Results from a new survey published by the Belgian Independent Health Insurance Funds (Mutualités Libres…
FIGO, UCSF and HEAL share 10 tips to avoid toxic chemicals during and after pregnancy
The Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the University of California – San Francisco (UCSF) and the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) have launched easy-to-use infographics for obstetricians, gynecologists and health groups to create awareness around toxic chemicals and pregnancy in a one-week social media campaign.
HEAL and European Cancer Leagues launch infographic illustrating how Europe can prevent cancer by tackling environmental pollutants
To mark the start of the European Week Against Cancer 2020, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the European Cancer Leagues (ECL) have teamed up to launch an infographic telling the story behind environmental cancer prevention.
Letter to MEP SANT committee: Prioritise health as a core component of Europe’s new Preparedness Union Strategy.
HEAL has sent a letter to the European Parliament’s Public Health Committee (SANT) ahead of the European Commission's presentation on its new Preparedness Union Strategy — “Reinforcing Europe’s resilience in a changing world” to the committee.
Letter to EC President Von der Leyen calling to uphold climate, nature and public health priorities in the next EU budget
HEAL and eight more Brussels-based organisations have sent a letter to EU Commission President von der Leyen and all EU Commissioners, urging them to uphold climate, nature and public health priorities in the next EU budget.
Letter to MEPs: Civil society engagement at the heart of the European project
Ahead of the upcoming EP plenary vote on 7 May on the 2023 discharge: EU general budget – Commission, executive agencies and European Development Funds, HEAL has sent a letter to MEPs urging them to stand in support of a strong, independent and vibrant civil society.
Letter to MEPs: Pollution and health – 7 May plenary vote on A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world
HEAL has sent a letter to MEPs, regarding their upcoming vote on A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world.
Letter to EP BUDG committee on A revamped Long-term Budget for the Union in a Changing World
On 23 April, the European Parliament's BUDG committee is set to vote on the BUDG INI report on A Revamped Long-term Budget for the Union in a changing world, the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). HEAL has sent a letter to members of the committee.
Letter to EP FEMM committee ahead of vote on A revamped Long-term Budget for the Union in a Changing World
On 9/10 April, the European Parliament's FEMM committee is set to vote on the opinion to the BUDG INI report on A Revamped Long-term Budget for the Union in a changing world, the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). HEAL has sent a letter to members of the committee.
HEAL response to articles in DIE WELT on NGO funding
HEAL response to the articles in the German newspaper DIE WELT “Secret contracts and powerful…
Press note – Health groups urge to address burden of pollution in EU long-term budget deliberations
The May 2025 vote on the European Parliament’s priorities for the next EU long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034) included many important health considerations, including on financing for measures to prevent climate change and biodiversity loss. Unfortunately, MEPs failed to include financing to address pollution and the related health impacts. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) calls on earmarking at least 10% of the next EU budget for zero pollution objectives across various funding instruments.
Over 550 civil society organisations call for support for a strong and independent civil society
Ahead of a key vote in the European Parliament, HEAL is one of over 550 civil society organisations from 40 countries, including all EU member states, urging democratic forces to act for a strong and independent civil society, including through adequate funding.
Press note: Health should remain in the scope of the ENVI committee
Press note: HEAL calls on the European Parliament to maintain health within the scope of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.
European Parliament recognises the European Green Deal as a significant contributing factor to cancer prevention in Europe
The European Parliament has adopted its non-legislative report responding to the publication of the EU Commission 2021 communication on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, recognising the EU Green Deal is a key tool to limit people’s exposure to pollution and prevent cancer.
How ATHLETE research on the Human Exposome offers tools for lifelong disease prevention and policy action: New overview article in Journal of Environmental Epidemiology
A new overview paper in the Journal of Environmental Epidemiology connects the dots on how the ATHLETE project's research on the Human Exposome offers advanced tools for lifelong disease prevention and policy action.
Non-Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants
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
In March 2013, HEAL launched the first ‘Unpaid Health Bill – How coal power plants…
Breast Cancer and exposure to hormonally active chemicals: An appraisal of the scientific evidence
The report provides a review of the scientific evidence that certain chemicals may be implicated in breast cancer, and focuses on the role of hormone disrupting chemicals.
