Health NGO launches coalition for clean air policies

Health NGO launches coalition for clean air policies
By Akeem Abas
Clean air
Ibadan, Oct. 24, 2018 (NAN) A global health organisation, Vital Strategies, has launched ‘Inspire’, a coalition aimed at mobilising clinicians, public health professionals and organisations across the globe to advocate for aggressive clean air policies.
This is contained in a statement signed by Vital Strategies Media Officer, Christina Honeysett, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ibadan.
NAN reports that Inspire was launched by members of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Working Group on Air Pollution and Lung Health.
The initiative launched in US on Tuesday was aimed at protecting people from the harmful effects of air pollution.
“Ninety per cent of the world’s population breathes polluted air and air pollution is the leading environmental cause of death as well as diseases.
“This mainly affects those in low and middle-income countries where rapid urbanisation is outpacing air pollution control measures,” the statement read in part.
Dr Obianuju Ozoh, a Pulmonologist and Senior Lecturer, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said air pollution was one of the most important preventable causes of ill health and death.
“We all have a role to play in curbing the burden and impact of air pollution on our health. Let us challenge ourselves to make each breath count toward better health, longer lives and better days,” Ozoh said.
Dr Neil Schluger, Senior Advisor for Science, Vital Strategies, said six million people die every year because of poor air quality.
“Yet too many governments are failing to address this problem as a public health crisis. That’s why Inspire is so important.
“Every day clinicians see the harms of air pollution as well as people suffering with acute asthma, heart attacks, strokes and more.

“There’s a limit to what we can do to help individuals reduce their exposure to harmful air pollution.
“Inspire offers a framework for health advocates to push governments to address the root causes of air pollution and advocate for cleaner air policies,” Schluger said.
Schluger said there was need to mobilise and take urgent action, adding the problem is growing.
Prof. Jonathan Grigg, Queen Mary University, London, said there was overwhelming evidence that air pollution adversely affects health across the life course.
“But, progress in reducing exposure remains painfully slow. Health professionals with detailed knowledge of diseases associated with exposure to air pollution have important role to play.
“They should help in communicating the importance of exposure-mitigation strategies both to policy makers and the public who need to pay for these strategies.
“Inspire aims to support local advocates with medical expertise in delivering this important message,” Grigg, a professor of Paediatric Respiratory and Environmental Medicine, said.
Elvis Achiri, Advocacy Officer, WHO Regional Office for Africa based in Cameroon, said there was need to call for universal recognition that clean air is a human right.
“We have a right to breathe clean air and a right to know the quality of our air. Inspire is a solution for clean air and health for all.
“Advocates are the voice of the people, especially the vulnerable at global and country level,” Achiri said.
They all agreed that members of Inspire coalition would help bring air pollution to the forefront of local, national and global health as well as climate agendas through education and advocacy.
NAN reports that the goals of Inspire aligned with WHO’s road map for enhanced global action on air pollution.
According to WHO, “4.3 million deaths occur each year from exposure to household (indoor) air pollution, while 3.7 million deaths each year are attributed to ambient (outdoor) air pollution.
“That is at an avoidable high cost to communities especially in low and middle-income countries’’. (NAN)
TAA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola