Many chronic and acute diseases – such as cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes and obesity and also mental illnesses – are caused by or worsened by pollution in our present and past environments.
HEAL works with Global organisations like WHO and UNEP, European institutions and organisations as well as national decision-makers and partners to prevent this environmental burden of disease by stronger policy action.
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.
Clean Air Day: Time to act to tackle socio-economic inequality and protect health, especially in cities
2nd September 2024
Air pollution is the leading environmental health threat in Europe, yet with targeted policy measures it can be largely preventable. While air pollution can affect everyone, certain people are more at-risk including children, pregnant women, the elderly or those living with disease. Another often overlooked risk factor, especially by policymakers, are the socio-economic conditions people live in.
Letter to the President of the European Commission on protecting people’s health against climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss
1st August 2024
HEAL calls on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to commit to protecting people’s health from the triple crisis during her second term in a letter. HEAL urges her to safeguard and strengthen the EU climate and environmental acquis for better health, and accelerate on the zero pollution path, including for the foreseen reform of the EU chemicals law REACH.
Green 10 letter to the President of the European Parliament calling to address the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergency
26th July 2024
The Green 10 coalition, which HEAL is a part of, encourages the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola upon her re-election to put the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergency at the forefront of her tenure.
Green 10 letter to the President of the European Commission on upholding and scaling up Green Deal commitments
26th July 2024
The Green 10 coalition, which HEAL is a part of, encourages the EU Commission President to prioritize and scale up the Green Deal commitments towards zero pollution, thriving nature and health.
Health benefits of a Green Deal approach in Turkey
17th May 2023
A new briefing by HEAL (in English and in Turkish), as part of the EU funded CISIP project, underlines the many health benefits that could be gained if Turkish decision-makers implemented stronger Green Deal action. Turkey’s Green Deal Action Plan, launched in 2021, sets 32 objectives and 81 actions, including on a Green and Circular Economy, secure energy supply and sustainable agriculture. However, contrary to the EU Green Deal which was adopted in 2019, the Turkish plan doesn’t set any tangible targets or deadlines.
HEAL’s vision for Europe leading the way towards a non-toxic environment
7th June 2018
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) today released its vision for Europe leading the transition…
Climate mitigation is win-win for public health
25th May 2016
A new publication in German by HEAL aims to shed light on a neglected topic…
Breast Cancer: Preventing the preventable
14th April 2008
This leaflet briefly describes the evidence that hormonally active chemicals may be implicated in breast cancer.
Breast Cancer: Factors influencing the risk of breast cancer – established and emerging
14th April 2008
This briefing summarises the key information on all the risk factors and breast cancer with particular focus on the potential role of certain chemicals in the environment.
How PFAS chemicals affect women, pregnancy and human development: Health actors call for urgent action to phase them out
25th May 2021
The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) have published a fact sheet and infographic to call for immediate action against “forever chemicals”, to protect reproductive health, fertility and human development.
EU should ban brain-harming chlorpyrifos to protect health
1st August 2018
Today, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) together with Générations Futures, Pesticide Action Network Europe…
HEAL fact sheet – Chronic disease and environment
13th September 2011
In lieu of the European Parliament voting on a Resolution on the EU position and commitment in advance to the UN high-level meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable disease, HEAL produced a fact sheet titled ’Chronic disease: How do environmental factors play a role?’
HEAL and European Cancer Leagues relaunch infographic illustrating how Europe can prevent cancer by tackling environmental pollutants
25th May 2022
To mark the start of the European Week Against Cancer 2022, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the European Cancer Leagues (ECL) have teamed up to relaunch an infographic telling the story behind environmental cancer prevention.
How does early-life exposure to environmental pollutants affect our health? New flyer and video from the ATHLETE project
10th June 2021
Have you ever wondered whether and how our everyday environment and activities affect our health? The ATHLETE project is designed to answer these questions by studying the Human Exposome – the totality of environmental exposures from conception to adulthood. Today we are excited to launch a new flyer and video to present the key activities of our research project.
Mutualités Libres and HEAL launch infographic illustrating 10 tips to avoid endocrine disruptors in and around your home
19th November 2020
Results from a new survey published by the Belgian Independent Health Insurance Funds (Mutualités Libres…
FIGO, UCSF and HEAL share 10 tips to avoid toxic chemicals during and after pregnancy
27th July 2020
The Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the University of California – San Francisco (UCSF) and the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) have launched easy-to-use infographics for obstetricians, gynecologists and health groups to create awareness around toxic chemicals and pregnancy in a one-week social media campaign.
HEAL and European Cancer Leagues launch infographic illustrating how Europe can prevent cancer by tackling environmental pollutants
25th May 2020
To mark the start of the European Week Against Cancer 2020, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the European Cancer Leagues (ECL) have teamed up to launch an infographic telling the story behind environmental cancer prevention.
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.
Letter to the President of the European Commission on protecting people’s health against climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss
1st August 2024
HEAL calls on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to commit to protecting people’s health from the triple crisis during her second term in a letter. HEAL urges her to safeguard and strengthen the EU climate and environmental acquis for better health, and accelerate on the zero pollution path, including for the foreseen reform of the EU chemicals law REACH.
Green 10 letter to the President of the European Parliament calling to address the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergency
26th July 2024
The Green 10 coalition, which HEAL is a part of, encourages the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola upon her re-election to put the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergency at the forefront of her tenure.
Green 10 letter to the President of the European Commission on upholding and scaling up Green Deal commitments
26th July 2024
The Green 10 coalition, which HEAL is a part of, encourages the EU Commission President to prioritize and scale up the Green Deal commitments towards zero pollution, thriving nature and health.
Letter: Protecting people’s health against climate, environmental threats and reducing health economic cost
16th July 2024
HEAL has sent a letter to Members of the European Parliament urging them to commit to protecting health against climate, environmental threats in the next five years, in their positions on legislative proposals as well as in all budgetary and financial decisions.
Letter: Keep health in the scope of the EP’s ENVI Committee
1st July 2024
In a letter, HEAL urges Members of the European Parliament to keep the current scope of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) to protect health against the triple crises of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
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.
Press note: Health should remain in the scope of the ENVI committee
2nd July 2024
Press note: HEAL calls on the European Parliament to maintain health within the scope of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.
Press Release: 73 EU candidates pledge a toxic-free future ahead of EU-elections
4th June 2024
Press release: In a move to prioritise public health and environmental sustainability, nineteen leading environmental and health organisations have united to call on EU candidates to commit to a toxic-free Europe.
Press note: New Study – Chemical exposure can lead to higher risk of metabolic syndrome in children
23rd May 2024
Press note: New Study – Chemical exposure can lead to higher risk of metabolic syndrome in children
Press note: Member States water down Toy Safety Legislation
15th May 2024
Press note: The Council of the EU adopted their position on the updated rules of the toy safety regulation, which leaves many gaps on children’s protection from harmful chemicals.
Press note: 2024 Climate and Health Policy Priorities for Europe
15th May 2024
Press note: The Lancet Europe Countdown report on health and climate change 2024 indicates European governments have not successfully protected their citizens from the health impacts of climate change.
Non-Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants
29th August 2013
This briefing paper aims to provide latest knowledge on Non Communicable Diseases from some of the leading experts and organisations from four perspectives: women’s organisations, health sector, developing countries and trade unions.
Unpaid Health Bill – how coal power plants make us sick
7th March 2013
In March 2013, HEAL launched the first ‘Unpaid Health Bill – How coal power plants…
Breast Cancer and exposure to hormonally active chemicals: An appraisal of the scientific evidence
12th April 2008
The report provides a review of the scientific evidence that certain chemicals may be implicated in breast cancer, and focuses on the role of hormone disrupting chemicals.