The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of limiting the transmission of respiratory diseases. Airborne diseases, such as measles, COVID-19, and the flu, pose serious health threats. Understanding their transmission mechanisms and taking action on indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential to better protect ourselves.
The pandemic also brought to light a broader issue that extends beyond COVID-19: the significant impact of indoor pollutants on health, productivity, and overall performance.
We spend approximately 90% of our time breathing indoor air, which can be contaminated by various harmful substances such as mold, VOCs, or radon.
Numerous scientific studies have highlighted the impact of indoor air quality on health and productivity. Yet, many public spaces (schools, healthcare facilities, public transportation, gyms, and recreation centers) still fail to provide satisfactory air quality.
Just as the safety of drinking water and food is recognized as a public health priority, indoor air quality must receive the same attention. This issue deserves a central place on the global health agenda and should be included on the agenda of the World Health Assembly (WHA), the WHO’s decision-making body that brings together 194 countries.
Technical solutions to measure and improve indoor air quality exist. It is our collective responsibility to promote their widespread implementation, notably through a WHA resolution dedicated to indoor air quality.
Demonstrate the importance of developing concrete public health strategies to combat airborne diseases and improve indoor air quality.
Prepare plans for the adoption of a World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution to prioritize indoor air quality as a global public health issue. This Resolution can then guide evidence-based strategies and actions.
Scientific review on the impact of indoor air quality on health. .
Increased Indoor Air Awareness with availability of enduring materials that can be further used as part of advocacy efforts (conference, policy briefs, awareness-raising or training sessions, literature review and other key resources).
Development of a Policy Brief containing concrete recommendations for improving indoor air quality. A policy brief typically describes a public health problem, reviews the scientific evidence, and suggests action strategies. Its objective is to bridge the gap between research and policy, ensuring that public health decisions are evidence-based. .
Preparation of a World Health Organization (WHO) Resolution in favor of improving indoor air quality.
To learn more about how you can partner with us, please reach out to:
irene.kostenas@genevahealthforum.com – +41 (0)43 500 40 21
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