PAHO invites professional and amateur photographers to participate in the photo contest “Healthy environments for all”.
The PAHO Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health Unit works with the countries of the Region of the Americas to strengthen the capacities of health actors to reduce the health impact attributable to environmental factors.
To raise awareness about the health effects of climate change and other environmental determinants, we seek images that show the effects of these determinants on the lives of people, including climate change, air quality, chemicals, and access to water, sanitation and hygiene.
We also look for images that tells a story and make us reflect on the health impacts of these environmental determinants. We have special interest in collecting success stories that show improvements in people’s health and well-being.
Deadline for submission of photographs: July 1st, 2020
To participate, please read the contest rules and access the participation form.
Selection criteria
- Resolution: Participating photographs must be presented in jpeg format and have a minimum resolution of 6,000 pixels on one side (vertical or horizontal).
- Black and white and color photographs can participate.
- The photographs must represent populations and places of the Americas.
- You must send one of the following options:
- Option A: Two photographs with a brief description of each; or
- Option B: A group of photographs (between 2 and up to 8), which describe a story that shows the health impact of climate change, air quality, chemicals, or access to water, sanitation and hygiene.
- Employees and consultants of the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Contest categories
Participants may submit:
- Option A: Two photographs with a brief explanatory story of each, or
- Option B: Group of photographs (between 2 and up to 8) that indicate a success story no longer more 500 words.
Images will be selected in the following four themes:
About topics to be developed
The Impact of Climate Change
Health is and will continue to be affected by climate change through direct impacts, such as heat waves, droughts, heavy storms, and sea-level rise; and indirect impacts, such as disease outbreaks, food and water insecurity, as well as forced displacements of populations from their place of origin.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Access to water, sanitation and hygiene services can have important consequences for the health and well-being of a population. Conditions and diseases associated with the presence of microorganisms and chemical substances present in drinking water include malnutrition, neglected diseases, diarrhea, poisoning, among others.
Air Quality
Outdoor and home air pollution due to the use of fossil fuels is one of the main environmental risks to public health in the Americas. Exposure to high levels of air pollution is associated with the increased risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, among others.
The Impact of Chemicals
Chemicals are part of our daily life. Exposure to toxic materials such as mercury, lead, arsenic or pesticides can have serious consequences for human health, especially for children, women and the elderly.
Awards
The winners will receive a cash prize and their photographs will be included in PAHO’s publications or promotional material related to Health, Environment and Climate Change.
The prizes of the winning photographs will be the following:
Contest rules
- Deadline for submitting images: July 1st, 2020
- Professional and amateur photographers of any nationality can participate
- The photographs must represent populations and places of the Americas.
- Contestants must be over 18 years old.
- Contestants must submit one of the following options:
- Option A: Two photographs with a brief description of each; or
- Option B: Group of photographs (between 2 and up to 8), which describe a story that shows the health impact of climate change, air quality, chemicals, or access to water, sanitation and hygiene. No longer than 500 words.
- Contestants will only be awarded up to one prize.
- Authorization to use photographs: All submitted photographs, winners or not, may be used in PAHO’s publications for educational and promotional health purposes. By signing the authorization sheet for the use of photographs, you assign the non-exclusive rights to PAHO. PAHO will give credit to the author if the Organization decides to use any of these photographs for a promotional product, or publication. Likewise, any person or persons clearly identifiable in the photographs must give their consent for the use of their image, signing the attached document.
- Submitting photographs: photographs must be sent using the participation form and the signed authorization form for the use of images.
- A jury selected by PAHO will choose the finalist photographs and inform the winners via email. The list of winners will be public on PAHO’s website. The finalists will be selected and announced in August 2020. The prizes will be awarded through PAHO country offices in the Americas.
- Staff or consultants hired by PAHO (or their immediate family members) cannot not participate.
- Any information or questions about the contest rules, please write to the following email: rodriguezev@paho.org