Ministers Link Health and Environment

Ministers of health and environment from throughout the Americas debated ways to strengthen linkages and integrate their work to improve quality of life in the region at a meeting in Mar del Plata, Argentina, in June that was supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Ministers agreed to develop a new plan of action on children's environmental health, water resources, and solid waste management to present to the Summit of the Americas in November. © Armando Waak/PAHO

Inés González García, Argentina's minister of health and environment, hosted the meeting, which included presentations on the threat of chemical pollutants, inadequate sanitation, and drinking water, the effects of unhealthy environments on children, and related themes.

"Healthy environments are determining factors for good health and the future prosperity of our countries," PAHO Director Mirta Roses told the ministers. "That is why we promote healthy spaces in our schools, our workplaces, our municipalities, and our countries."

Roses noted that countries of the Americas have pioneered the elimination of lead from gasoline, but she added that poisonings from other sources such as mercury and pesticides are still a major challenge for public health.

In a separate session, ministers discussed progress and remaining challenges in achieving the Millennium Development Goals related to health and environment.

The ministers agreed on the need for a plan of action on children's environmental health, integrated water resources, and solid waste management, and sound management of chemicals. The plan of action will be proposed to heads of state meeting at the Summit of the Americas, also scheduled to be held in Mar del Plata, in November.

In their conclusions, the ministers said they would work together to seek additional funding "to advance a work plan that can guarantee environmental health in the countries of the Americas." They cited critical factors necessary to protect health and reduce infant mortality, including access to drinking water, basic sanitation, and solid waste management.

On the issue of safe handling of chemical substances, the ministers said they were "committed to strategies to reduce the risk to our ecosystems and human health from pesticides and other substances, especially among vulnerable groups including the indigenous, industrial workers, farmers, and women and children."

In addition to ministers, participants included the director-general of the World Health Organization, LEE Jong-wook, and officials from UNEP and the OAS.