Message by Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland 

The biggest threats to children’s health lurk in the very places that should be safest – home, school and community. Every year over 5 million children ages 0 to 14 die, mainly in the developing world, from diseases related to their environments - the places where they live, learn and play. These diseases include diarrhoea, malaria as well as other vector-borne diseases, acute respiratory infections and unintentional injuries (accidents).

These deaths can be prevented. We know what to do. Strategies have been developed to combat these threats to children’s health. They need to be implemented on a global and national scale. So this year’s World Health Day is dedicated to ensuring Healthy Environments for Children.

We all need to do more to tackle environmental risks to children’s health. As you will see in this brochure, the burden of disease from environment-related diseases is great and falls disproportionately on children. In September 2002, WHO launched the Healthy Environments for Children Initiative. We are now working with different groups around the world to turn this initiative into a vibrant, global alliance which will be capable of mobilizing local support and intervening to make children’s lives healthier where they live, learn and play. By working together on many fronts, by building on existing programmes, and by adapting concrete actions to local needs, members of the alliance can make a difference. Together, we are better able to confront the environmental health issues faced by communities, countries, regions and sectors all around the world.

Every child has the right to grow up in a healthy home, school and community. The future development of our children – and of their world – depends on their enjoying good health now.