More than 70% of the deaths of the children in Africa are due to six major diseases which are directly or indirectly related to environmental risks factors, namely acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, measles, malaria, HIV/AIDS and malnutrition. 
It is estimated that one in five children in the Region will not live till its 5th birthday mainly because of environment related diseases. Many of those who survive are unable to grow and develop to their full potential because of disabilities and long-term disorders.

The risk factors for children health include unsafe water; poor sanitation; indoor air pollution; toxic substances in air, water and soil; and chemicals like pesticides and drugs.

This is blight on our collective conscience and must be urgently addressed, says Dr Ebrahim M. Samba, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, on the occasion of World Day Health Day, celebrated on April 7, 2003.

He urges Member States to promote healthy environments for children, and exhorts individuals, families, teachers, communities, NGO' s and governments to work together.

The objective of commemorating the day is to raise awareness on the magnitude of environmental health risks to children, to increase understanding on the importance of paying attention to them, and to address children's health issues and environmental risk factors in a more effective, integrated and synergistic way.

Dr Samba estimates it's time for action for our children's future. All we now need are the resources and political will.

The theme of this year's World Health Day, says Dr Samba, is both apt and timely because almost one third of the global burden of diseases is attributable to environmental risks factors.

He adds that the majority of the diseases related to environmental risks factors are preventable and that the technology, tools and strategies to address the challenges exist. These include Integrated Management of Childhood Diseases (IMCI), the Healthy Settings approach, the Health Promoting School Initiative, the School Health Programme and the Global Strategy on Infant and Child feeding.

The Healthy Environments for Children Alliance, launched in September 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the World Summit on Sustainable Development, aims at intensifying global action on the risks to children's health that arise from the settings where they live, play, grow, and learn.

For further information please contact 
Flavienne Issembè 
Unit for Public Information and Communication 
WHO Regional Office for Africa 
Tél: (00242) 839352 / 839378 / 839382 / 839362 
E-mail: issembef [at] afro.who.int