Evidence, Equity, and Economics: Lessons and Challenges of the Environmental Health Movement

Abstract

In all, environmental factors are thought to be responsible for at least one-quarter of the disease and death burden globally (Smith et al. 1999). We cannot be healthy without healthy environments. Throughout the world, environmental degradation is a major cause of poor health. In developing countries, lack of clean drinking water and hygiene leads to 1.7 million premature deaths from intestinal illness every year, mainly affecting children. Smoke-laden indoor air from traditional fuels – used by half of the world’s population – leads to 1.6 million deaths each year from respiratory disease. In developed and developing countries, outdoor air pollution from automobile exhaust and industry causes a further 800,000 respiratory-related deaths per year (WHO 2002). Poisoning from pesticides and other toxics in the environment causes over half a million deaths each year (Fewtrell et al. 2003; WHO 2003). Climate warming driven by greenhouse gas emissions is already causing 150,000 annual deaths from vector-borne disease and heat stress (McMichael et al. 2003).