Clean air is healthcare
Clean Air Day is coming up this Thursday 17th June. We'd love to have your support at one of our stalls, and you can join our panel discussion at lunchtime.
Why?
Air pollution is a huge threat to health in the UK. The annual mortality burden from outdoor air pollution exposure is equivalent to around 40,000 deaths, with a consequential cost of up to £20 billion a year to society, businesses and health services.
But the health service itself contributes significantly to this problem: approximately 3.5% (9.5 billion miles) of all road travel in England relates to patients, visitors, staff and suppliers to the NHS, with a resultant release of 7,285 tonnes of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and 330 tonnes of particulates. Therefore, as health professionals working in the NHS we are part of the problem, but we can also help to lead the solution
How?
One of the most powerful and engaging aspects of action on air pollution is the “co-benefits” effect. Encouraging people to switch to so called “active travel”, away from private car use, not only helps to reduce air pollution-associated health costs, but also brings rapid improvements in physical health through increasing physical activity. A 2018 report on costs associated with private car and van use, reported that swapping 1 in 4 car journeys in urban areas for walking or cycling could save over £1.1 billion in health damage costs per year. And, according to 2020 “Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ NHS report, 38,400 lives could be saved a year by increasing physical activity.
These actions are particularly relevant for the population we serve across Barts Health; in urban areas the air pollution generated by private car use is particularly damaging to health and is unequally experienced; lowest income households are least likely to own a car, but the most likely to be harmed by the health effects of air pollution. As health professionals we are trusted messengers, and we can use our voice to encourage our patients, friends, family and colleagues to make the switch to active travel and help protect the most vulnerable in our communities. Join us on clean air day to learn techniques for having these conversations.
Where?
Taking up walking and cycling instead of driving is a challenge for some and made more difficult by limited active travel infrastructure in some areas. Therefore, we have a responsibility as health professionals to advocate on behalf of our patients for better active travel infrastructure. Examples of what we can and should be asking for in our local areas include more and better joined up cycle lanes and walking routes, safer junctions, no more crossings without a green man, longer crossing times, low traffic neighbourhoods, and school streets.
Health goes beyond the boundaries of the hospital, clinic room or GP practice; we can practice healthcare by demanding the changes we want to see. On Clean Air Day, keep an eye out for our hospital stalls with leaflets and posters, games for people to engage with and we’ll be encouraging you to make a pledge on what action you can take.
When?
We’ll be hosting a panel event on the topic: Clean Air is Healthcare – what can we do together to clean up our air?
This will include Jonathon Grigg (expert on air pollution), the deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets and an activist from the group Choked Up. There will be an opportunity to ask questions to the panel members so please come along and join us for what looks like it will be a really interesting discussion.
Sign up is here and you'll be sent an MS Teams link the day before.