Health and Environment Alliance | News and Media

Advocating for a European future free of endocrine-disrupting chemicals

14th November 2024

HEAL, alongside the EDC-Free Europe coalition, is asking future EU leaders to protect health and the environment from the health-harming endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The recently published EDC-Free Europe statement ‘7 priorities to protect people and environment from harm caused by endocrine-disrupting chemicals outlines crucial steps that policymakers must take to protect public health and the environment from these harmful substances.

Joint letter calling for a ban of flufenacet

12th November 2024

A coalition of 49 environmental and health organisations is now urging the European Commission and EU member states to immediately ban flufenacet in a joint letter.

HEAL assessment of the hearing of Commissioner-designate Olivér Várhelyi

7th November 2024

Yesterday, MEPs held a confirmation hearing with Commissioner-designate Várhelyi, whose portfolio includes health and animal welfare.

HEAL assessment of the hearing of Commissioner-designate Jessika Roswall

6th November 2024

Yesterday, MEPs held the confirmation hearing with Commissioner-designate Roswall, whose portfolio focuses on environment, water resilience and a competitive circular economy.

Press release: the EDC-Free Europe coalition urges EU Leaders to take immediate action on endocrine-disrupting chemicals

6th November 2024

Press release: HEAL, together with the EDC-Free Europe coalition, is calling on future EU leaders to protect health and the environment from health-harming endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The coalition shared its priorities for the upcoming policy mandate at an event at the European Parliament.

A majority of Poles are worried about chemical pollution – HEAL calls for policy action!

4th November 2024

HEAL has opened a new chapter in its work in Poland - launching an initiative to address the growing concerns about harmful chemicals; as a recent Eurobarometer survey shows that 84% of Poles are worried about the effects of harmful chemicals on their health. 

CSO statement: The EU Commission must provide guarantees on climate, nature and public health

4th November 2024

Together with 180+ organisations, HEAL cal on the EU Commission to provide guarantees on climate, nature and public health, ensuring the protection of people.

European Parliament hearings of designated Commissioners: Step up on health protection and disease prevention

24th October 2024

HEAL has published suggestions for Members of European Parliament on what questions to ask candidates for Commissioner positions. From 4 – 12 November, the European Parliament will hold hearings with all candidates for the Commission 2024-2029.

Clean Air for Health – HEAL Poland shares recommendations for local authorities

23rd October 2024

HEAL Poland recently launched briefings for Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, and Wrocław, which highlight the health harm from air pollution, especially from transport, and present recommendations for local authorities on how to improve air quality.

New briefing on swift, health-based implementation of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive

18th October 2024

Science has a crucial role to play in the implementation of the revised EU clean air law, according to a new briefing by the METEOR research cluster. The briefing showcases how the projects in this EU funded research cluster can help support policymakers in the design of clean air measures and help in evaluating those which are most beneficial to health.

HEAL Annual General Assembly 2024 – Health protection from environmental threats in the New EU Agenda

14th October 2024

HEAL has sent a letter to permanent representations of EU member states and EU environment ministers today, calling on their support and leadership to ensure that previous commitments made for a high level of health and environment protection will remain at the heart of the 2024-2029 EU Commission mandate, including delivering on the health protective measures promised in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) and the revision of REACH with no further delay.

Joint open letter from the representatives of civil society and the environment on the Draghi Report considerations regarding chemicals

14th October 2024

A group of civil society organisations has written to EU Environment Ministers and European Commission President Von der Leyen as well Commissioner-designates Ribera Rodriguez, Séjourné, and Roswall to express serious concerns…

Press release: Health groups welcome the confirmation of revised EU air quality law: milestone for public health

14th October 2024

The EU Environment Ministers confirmed the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive. The revised legislation updates limits for key air pollutants in the EU to align more closely with the latest World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, and to reflect the serious health impacts of air pollution.

Joint letter to EU environment ministers regarding confirmation of revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD)

10th October 2024

HEAL, together with Bundesärztekammer and Deutsche Allianz Klimawandel und Gesundheit (KLUG), has sent a letter calling on EU environment ministers to confirm the revision of EU’s clean air standards (Ambient Air Quality Directives).

Floods in Poland: The Need for Urgent Action for Health and Climate Protection

8th October 2024

As floods in Europe increase due to climate change, HEAL Poland analyses the health impacts of floods and calls for policy action to protect health.

Letter: EU Healthy Air Coalition calls for confirmation of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directives

7th October 2024

The EU Healthy Air Coalition, representing medical doctors, healthcare professionals, patient organisations and health insurers, call the members of the Environment Council of the EU to confirm the revision of EU’s clean air standards (Ambient Air Quality Directives).

Letter to EU environment ministers – uphold commitment to health protection objectives in Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability

4th October 2024

HEAL has sent a letter to permanent representations of EU member states and EU environment ministers today, calling on their support and leadership to ensure that previous commitments made for a high level of health and environment protection will remain at the heart of the 2024-2029 EU Commission mandate, including delivering on the health protective measures promised in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) and the revision of REACH with no further delay.

HEAL annual report 2023-2024 out

30th September 2024

Our Annual Report covering the financial period of March 2023 – March 2024 has just been published! Find out about our overarching strategic goals and the wide range of activities on air quality, climate and energy, chemicals pesticides, as well as research projects, using a myriad of tools and channels and often working with partners and in coalition.

Press note: European competitiveness will not be harmed by a PFAS restriction – but without it, people’s health will be

9th September 2024

Press note: While the Draghi report is concerned about the economic implications from transitioning away from PFAS in Europe, this approach is fundamentally flawed given the health costs and severe health and environmental consequences associated with these substances.

Letter: EU Healthy Air Coalition calls to strengthen EU clean air measures to sustain quality of life

6th September 2024

The EU Healthy Air Coalition, representing medical doctors, healthcare professionals, patient organisations and health insurers, which HEAL is a part of, call on the European Commission President von der Leyen, to prevent health impacts from air pollution. The coalition calls to award clean air a prominent mandate priority at Vice-Presidency level, in order to save costs and protect those most vulnerable.