New country profiles released by the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health show how countries have reduced some environmental health inequalities.
In most countries, disadvantaged population groups are more exposed to environmental risks, which have an impact on health and wellbeing.
Two assessment reports, published in 2012 and 2019, show the environmental health inequality trends and changes between 2012 and 2019. Almost all countries have achieved reductions in these inequalities. For instance, Poland reduced inequalities in fatal work-related and road-traffic injuries between males and females, as well as between different age groups, and Albania improved equality in access to basic drinking water and sanitation services between those living in rural and urban areas.
Despite these improvements, other dimensions of environmental health inequalities have increased in many countries. The report enables Member States to quickly gain insight into changes in inequality over time for indicators related to housing conditions, basic services, urban environments, transport, work settings and injuries.
Knowledge of these national inequality features can support environmental and intersectoral action to identify and protect those who carry a disproportionate environmental burden, thereby helping reduce health inequalities.
