This document outlines WHO's process for developing a global strategy on health, environment, and climate change (HECC). It provides background on the high disease burden from environmental risks. It discusses the opportunity presented by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and WHO's general program of work. The vision is for environments that eliminate nearly 1/4 of disease burden through prevention and healthy choices. Key strategy elements include scaling prevention, cross-sectoral action, strengthening health sectors, and building support. Regional implications and WHO's contributions are also summarized. Feedback is requested on the draft strategy.

1. Agenda item 5(c)
65th Session of the Regional Committee for the
Eastern Mediterranean
15‒18 October 2018, Khartoum
WHO global strategy on
health, environment and climate
change (HECC)

2. Outline
1. WHO process for the strategy
2. Background
3. Opportunity
4. Vision
5. Key elements of the HECC strategy
6. Regional implications
7. WHO’s contribution
8. The way forward
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3. January 2018
142nd Executive Board requested the Director-
General to develop a global strategy on health,
environment and climate change
October 2018
Regional committees are requested to comment
and provide inputs on the draft strategy
January 2019
To be considered by Executive Board at its 144th
session
May 2019
To be endorsed by Seventy-second World Health
Assembly
WHO process for the strategy
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4. Background
• A persistently high burden of disease – 13 million deaths globally
attributed to the environment each year: over 854 000 in the Region.
• In addition to “traditional” environmental risks are those related to
global changes (climate change, fast-growing urbanization, increasing
energy demand) and emerging threats (emergencies, electronic
wastes, micro-plastics).
• A transformational approach is needed to protect health from
environmental risks.
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5. Opportunity
• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs) supports
sustainable approaches to health, environment and equity, and
creates a timely opportunity for the development of the strategy.
• WHO’s general programme of work (GPW13) identifies environment
and climate change as priorities (a platform) and stresses cross-
sectoral action on health.
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6. Vision
• “A world in which sustainable development has eliminated the almost
one quarter of disease burden caused by unhealthy environments,
through health protection and promotion, preventive action in
relevant sectors and healthy life choices, and which manages new and
emerging environmental risks to health.
• Key sectors fully integrate health into their decision-making process
and maximize societal welfare.”
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7. Key elements of the strategy
• Scaling up primary prevention: Effective and equitable action will be
put in place on the drivers of environmental risks to health.
• Cross-sectoral action: Address health determinants in policies in all
sectors.
• Strengthen the health sector: Leadership and coordination roles,
working together with other sectors.
• Building support: Strengthen governance mechanisms and create a
demand for healthy environments.
• New evidence: Evidence-based communication and building the case
for influencing investments.
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8. Regional implications
The HECC global strategy (2019–2030) is aligned with regional health and environment priorities (23% of
burden of disease) and mandates, including:
1. Regional strategy and framework for action on health and the environment (2014–2019), and the
Arab strategy on health and the environment (2017–2030).
2. Regional plan of action to implement the global roadmap on air pollution and health (2017–2022).
3. Regional framework for action on climate change and health (2017–2021).
4. Regional plan of action for food safety (2017–2022).
5. WHO global road map to enhance health sector engagement in the Strategic Approach to
International Chemicals Management towards the 2020 goal and beyond.
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9. All countries of the Region are extensively
affected by environmental risks
-
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Communicable Noncommunicable Injuries
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Rate of deaths attributable to environmental risks by type of disease

10. 10
WHO’s contribution
1. Provide leadership
• Guide policy, such as energy and transport transitions.
• Coordinate regional processes and build alliances.
• Ensure the “health voice” is heard.
2. Evidence synthesis and advocacy for building global public goods
• Ensure knowledge generation and guidance, monitor change.
• Scale up communication.
3. Enhance WHO’s direct impact in countries
• Catalyse action, influence sectoral choices.
• Enhance capacity of the health sector, provide stakeholder platforms.
• Develop special initiatives, e.g. the SIDS and climate change initiative.
• Provide emergency response.
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11. The way forward
• This draft HECC global strategy is for your consideration. Please
share your views and comments with us.
• Revision of strategy in light of feedback from Member States.
• Next steps:
 New version for the consideration of the 144th session of the Executive
Board in January 2019 to be ready by the beginning of November 2018.
 The final version will be submitted to the Seventy-second World Health
Assembly in May 2019.
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12. Thank you
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