Environment and Promotion of Health

The Environment and Promotion of Health (EPH) programme aims to assist countries in the implementation of environmental health policies, a central focus is on tools/initiatives that have proven to be effective in making environments supportive to health, in particular the “healthy Settings approach”.

Recognizing the need for intersectoral action for sustainable health development, the programme works to promote comprehensive and partnership based approaches to systematically address environmental health concerns at the local level.

The Environment and Promotion of health programme concentrates on activities linked to healthy cities, healthy schools, healthy villages, healthy markets, etc.

It is based on the notion that health depends not only on good health services or individual lifestyles (important as these are) but on a supportive environment. Of particular concern are the most vulnerable groups in society such as children, within the context of the “Settings Approach”, the programme provides strategic guidance to ensure the rights of children to live and grow in healthy environments.

The programme pursues its goal by:
Providing technical support to countries in ensuring that health is an integral component of municipal and national plans and activities.

Assisting in resource mobilization and networking for city level projects.

Development and dissemination of promotional materials, technical guidelines and manuals.

Technical support and promotion of innovative community based-pilot activities within the framework of the settings approach – Healthy Villages, Healthy Schools, Healthy Markets etc.