Air pollution in the UK - RCPCH position statement

Air pollution poses a serious threat to children's health in the UK, contributing to a range of adverse health outcomes and premature mortality. This updated position statement reviews the latest evidence, now including the impact of indoor air pollution on children.

US NWS HeatRisk

The NWS HeatRisk is an experimental color-numeric-based index that provides a forecast risk of heat-related impacts to occur over a 24-hour period.

Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool

This tool is called the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. The tool has an interactive map and uses datasets that are indicators of burdens in eight categories: climate change, energy, health, housing, legacy pollution, transportation, water and wastewater, and workforce development.

Using Air Pollution Data to Offer a More Complete View of Health

To educate families about health effects from pollution, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children integrated air quality data into Epic. Clinicians review patients’ local air quality levels in the chart, helping initiate conversations about the environmental determinants of health.

Open letter to the UK Prime minister from Ride For Their Lives

Signatures have now closed with more than 200 Health Care Workers

AQ in Electronic Medical Record article in the Times

An update on the spread of the idea across the globe.

EAP statement: Communicating air pollution risks to children and families

Air pollution is a major cause of non-communicable disease (NCD) and mortality in children and adults. Knowing this, do we have a professional obligation to discuss it with our patients and families, or do we risk placing an unnecessary burden on them that they have limited control over? What ethical principles should we apply?

A well maintained and safe London Ambulance Service e-bike

Some NHS trusts have banned e-bikes on site but happily the London Ambulance Service know how to manage risk.

Launch of the Toolkit for Health Professionals on Communicating about Climate Change and Health

Climate change presents one of the most significant global health challenges, already negatively affecting communities worldwide. Communicating the health risks of climate change and the health benefits of climate solutions is both necessary and helpful.

Why doctors need to advocate for clean air.

Letter to the Guardian by Heather and Mark on why the GMC is failing to fulfil its mission to protect the public.

Air Pollution: A Silent Health Threat We Can't Ignore

This podcast is released on 15th February 2024 in memory of the life of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah and as a testament to the work of her family in bringing this important issue to the forefront of our knowledge.

Advocacy

Paper by Tony Waterston in 2016 explaining what advocacy is and sharing thoughts and his approach

Great Ormond Street to look at home air pollution when diagnosing illnesses

Pioneering initiative to consider children’s addresses after coroner ruled air pollution a factor in death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, nine

NHS Net Zero Travel and Transport Strategy

Much more useful than most stuff coming out of COP. Go Greener NHS.

COP28 Open Letter on fossil fuels from the Global Medical and Health Community

This year, world leaders gathering in the UAE to take stock of their climate commitments will for the first time engage in official programming focused on health. We, the signatories of this letter, support your leadership in bringing health front and center at COP28.

Lancet Countdown 2023 Report

Read the key findings and messages from the 2023 Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change

Green Surgery Reducing the environmental impact of surgical care

The Green Surgery Report is a landmark report that presents the first detailed account of how to reduce the environmental impact of surgical care while maintaining high quality patient care and potentially saving the NHS money.

Net Zero Mental Health Care guidance and education

The National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (NCCMH) and the College Centre for Quality Improvement (CCQI) at the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) have developed a report and educational resources on delivering greener, more sustainable and net zero mental health care.

Air pollution raises risk of type 2 diabetes, says landmark Indian study Seven-year study of 12,000 residents of Delhi and Chennai finds link between PM2.5 particles and increased blood sugar levels

Inhaling polluted air increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, the first study of its kind in India has found. Research conducted in Delhi and the southern city of Chennai found that inhaling air with high amounts of PM2.5 particles led to high blood sugar levels and increased type 2 diabetes incidence.

Children at ‘existential risk’ from climate crisis, UK’s top paediatrician says

Physical and mental impact on young people needs immediate action, Dr Camilla Kingdon says

Why health and wellbeing should be at centre of urban planning

Gary Fullers latest article including work from Prof Mark Nieuwenhuijsen who rode with us in September on our Catalonia ride.

Pollutionwatch. Indoor wood burning raises women’s lung cancer risk by 43%, says US study

Results from study involving 50,000 women suggest even occasional wood burning can contribute to lung cancer

RCPCH campaign to Shift the Dial on Climate Change and Child Health Inequalities

It’s time to Shift the Dial on child health and new work from RCPCH aims to raise awareness about the unequal impacts of climate change on child health. RCPCH calls on UK Government to prioritise children’s health in climate change policy development, as well as providing tools aiming to upskill paediatricians.

Children’s Global Charter on Children’s Rights, the Environment and Climate Change

A rather WHO style understated title. But basically the children have delivered their orders to us. Time for us to act.

Barcelona showcasing Air Quality research and action

To prepare for the Catalonia ride we are lucky to present a collection of resources curated by Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen, Research Professor, Director of the Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative, and Head of the Air pollution and Urban Environment Programme.

How anti-Ulez campaigners misused air pollution finding in Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah death

Three years after unprecedented inquest ruling, absence of other cases has left a gap for pollution sceptics to exploit

In-vehicle exposure to traffic and road-generated air pollution

This report will provide a summary of the evidence that TRAP impacts on health

Air pollution and health: an introduction for health workers. OpenWHO

The target audience for this course is health workers which includes care-givers such as medical doctors, nurses, midwives, community health workers, and future health care professionals, as well as public health professionals and other representatives of the ministries of health.

Climate change and respiratory disease: clinical guidance for healthcare professionals

Climate change is a major threat to lung patients due to increasing temperatures, more extreme weather, poorer air quality, and altered allergen and microbial exposure. Respiratory clinicians must be educated to mitigate this burden to their patients.

Time to worry about car tyre pollution, Chris Whitty tells MPs

Chief medical officer says move to electric cars can reduce impact of exhausts, but may bring different problem to the fore

SHIFTING GEAR: THE PATH TO CLEANER TRANSPORT

Our ability to get around – safely and without barriers – is fundamental to our quality of life, wellbeing and participation in society. Transport connects us to everything: our communities, workplaces, friends and family, education, healthcare and all the essential services we need.

Associations between air pollution and mental health service use in dementia: a retrospective cohort study

Conclusions Residential air pollution exposure is associated with increased CMHT usage among people with dementia. Clinical implications Efforts to reduce pollutant exposures in urban settings might reduce the use of mental health services in people with dementia, freeing up resources in already considerably stretched psychiatric services.

Association between particulate matter (PM)2·5 air pollution and clinical antibiotic resistance: a global analysis - The Lancet Planetary Health

This analysis is the first to describe the association between PM2·5 and clinical antibiotic resistance globally. Results provide new pathways for antibiotic-resistance control from an environmental perspective.

The rows over ‘anti-motorist’ Ulez and LTNs lose sight of the truth: they save lives.

Devi Sridhar These are the kinds of debates we should be having: about what kind of cities we want to live in. Instead, politicians are taking aim at Ulez and LTNs – terms that will be meaningless to many – to stoke up political support.

Ulez key to tackling ‘unacceptably high’ child illness and death, doctors say

Leading doctors and scientists have warned politicians against watering down plans to expand city-wide schemes aimed at reducing traffic pollution levels linked to thousands of deaths each year.

Exposure to ambient air pollutants and acute respiratory distress syndrome risk in sepsis

Air pollution exposure has long been linked to acute and chronic respiratory disease. We identified associations between PM2.5 with ARDS risk in sepsis, suggesting that short- and long- term exposures to ambient air pollutants are potentially modifiable environmental risk factors with implication for public health and environmental justice

Air we breathe in UK depends on race and income, studies show

A great summary from Gary as to why the ULEZ expansion is a step forward in the battle against inequity.

400 Health professionals implore the Labour Party Leadership not to back down over ULEZ expansion.

400 sign letter crafted by Emma Radcliffe GP who rides with RFTL.

Responding to climate emergency: a sound art work

This sound artwork by Nigel & Louise brings together the voices of children and young people and clinicians, who share their ideas on how to respond to the current ecological situation and why it is important to them.

One of our riders gets articles in nature medicine!

Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum a regular on RFTL rides publishes a great article in a prestigious journal.

Pollutionwatch: improving air quality could ease pressure on NHS

Polluted days were followed by increased health service use for breathing problems, with impacts persisting for more than 100 days.

THE STATE OF SHARED & ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY IN EUROPEAN CITIES

CITY RANKING: 2023 FOCUSED EDITION THE STATE OF SHARED & ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY IN EUROPEAN CITIES

Climate Communication / SciLine Quick Facts

Climate Communication and SciLine collaboratively created a series of condensed Quick Facts on climate change, extreme weather-related events, and their impacts on society.

UK government marks its own work

And gives it a D (dreadful)

Open Letter to the British Prime Minister

We invite UK based Healthcare Providers to sign this open letter in support of our scientific colleagues.

Clean Air Day on GOSHpods

Mark Hayden talks to Emma Stockton about why healthcare providers should care about Air Pollution

Institute of Health Visiting; Ride For Their Lives podcast and Clean Air Day

In the podcast, Heather and Mark talk about how they got involved, what we can all do to help combat air pollution, the joy of cycling and that electric bicycles are just as good for you as a conventional bike.

BLACK CHILD CLEAN AIR REPORT

Air pollution in pregnancy: Exploring the views and experiences of Black mothers and Black pregnant women living in London

Hay fever may get worse due to climate change, says Met Office

Prof Sheena Cruickshank, an immunologist at the University of Manchester said: “Pollution can damage the protective barriers in our nose and respiratory tracts so we’re more likely to get things in, we’re seeing that pollution can have an effect on immune sensing … and it can narrow airways and make it difficult to breathe.

Lung adenocarcinoma promotion by air pollutants

These findings collectively support a tumour-promoting role for PM2.5 air pollutants and provide impetus for public health policy initiatives to address air pollution to reduce disease burden. Nature volume 616, pages159–167 (2023)

RFTL@RCPCH conference. Heather Lambert's presentation.

Watch the video.

Taking air pollution data to the next level – displaying in the patient chart and empowering action

Poster Presentation at RCPCH Conference Glasgow May 2023; There is a significant knowledge gap regarding air pollution and its impacts at our hospital. We present a novel and easily replicable intervention that displays useful patient specific data and resources at the point of need to clinicians.

Pollutionwatch: why reducing air pollution is a ‘bargain investment’

Exposure to air pollution harms our health, and reducing air pollution saves money.

The evidence is clear: low-emission zones like London’s ULEZ work

Compensation for atmospheric appropriation

Research on carbon inequalities shows that some countries are overshooting their fair share of the remaining carbon budget and hold disproportionate responsibility for climate breakdown.

One Health and planetary health research: leveraging differences to grow together

Quantifying the human cost of global warming

Here we express them in terms of numbers of people left outside the ‘human climate niche’—defined as the historically highly conserved distribution of relative human population density with respect to mean annual temperature. We show that climate change has already put ~9% of people (>600 million) outside this niche.

Transport systems need to be made safe, healthy and sustainable

In the context of the 7th UN Global Road Safety Week (15-21 May 2023), the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on governments to increase investments in walking, cycling and public transport, those modes of transport which are inherently healthy and sustainable

Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to public health and children are especially vulnerable

Air pollution is an emerging global emergency that threatens the health and productivity of people across the planet. It unfairly impacts those that have contributed the least to this crisis—particularly children. We must act proactively and collaboratively to tackle this.

How opponents of LTNs are adopting the climate-sceptic playbook

Critical coverage in UK papers has been rising with more anti-LTN articles per day in 2023 than ever before Simon Evans in the Guardian

London Cycling Campaign Climate Safe Streets One Year On, One Year To Go report

For each of London’s 32 boroughs (we’ve left out the City*), LCC tracked progress not only on delivery of schemes and activities over the last year that we asked councils and the Mayor to deliver via our Climate Safe Streets campaigns, we have also tracked each council’s progress on reducing the mode share of private motor traffic.

RFTL members supporting structural changes to improve air quality in the North of England.

RFTL members "have penned an open letter to local election candidates saying they are “seriously concerned” about the local opposition to the LTN scheme – and calling for the scheme to be continued in the name of cutting air pollution and the health problems it causes."

Modelling the long-term health impacts of air pollution in London

This study estimates the long-term health impacts of exposure to air pollution in London from 2016 to 2050.

Ease of travel on public transport with a fully assembled bike by country.

We are collating resources and personal experience of the ease of taking your fully assembled bike on trains, boats and coaches and would love to include your input. Not aeroplanes obviously. Cycling there and back is obviously the best in many ways including mental health.

Hourly air pollution exposure and the onset of symptomatic arrhythmia: an individual-level case–crossover study in 322 Chinese cities

Another article linking arrythmias with acute rises in ambient air pollution this time using a nationwide, time-stratified, case–crossover study in China between 2015 and 2021. Adds to the evidence in young adults using a personal PM2.5 monitor with a Holter ECG.

Pharmacy goes green

In this episode listen to Caroline Dalton, a pharmacist at Great Ormond Street, and one of GOSH's 'Green Champions'. She is talking about the reasons why she became a Green Champion, as well as some of the inspiring sustainability projects she has completed in her department.

How Paris is taking back its streets from cars

Showing the UK how to take back control

Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health

The Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH; “the Alliance”) works to realize the ambition set at COP26 to build climate resilient and sustainable health systems, using the collective power of WHO Member States (“Member States”) and other stakeholders to drive this agenda forward at pace and scale.

Climate change - what can child health professionals do and how is it relevant to the healthcare setting?

As this year’s RCPCH Conference gets ever closer, keynote speaker Dr Maria Neira, Director of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization, gives us a preview of what she will be taking to the main stage to discuss.

Italian Paediatricians collect 14,000 signatures asking Mayors to address air pollution.

In Italy, the Cultural Association of Paediatricians (ACP) has involved other groups of paediatricians and has collected 14,000 signatures on a letter asking the mayors of all Italian cities to intervene with measures aimed at decreasing motor traffic and sustainable mobility.

Doctors need to speak up in support of cleaner air in London and other cities

Doctors and health workers need to speak up for health in what has become an intense battle, and you should support the Ride for Their Lives around the perimeter of the ULEZ on 13-15 May.4 The ride will be led by Mark Hayden, an intensive care doctor from Great Ormond Street who has seen children dying from the effects of air pollution.

Royal College of Physicians view on healthcare sustainability and climate change RCP view | March 2023

As a founding member of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has been vocal about the health impacts of climate change.

Air Pollution and Mortality at the Intersection of Race and Social Class | NEJM

Higher-income Black persons, low-income White persons, and low-income Black persons may benefit more from lower PM2.5 levels than higher-income White persons.

UK farming causes over a quarter of cities’ PM2.5 particle pollution

This study reveals that farming is responsible for more than a quarter of the particle pollution in UK cities. UK agriculture created 38% of the particle pollution in 2019, according to the study. In each case the contribution from rural agriculture was greater than all of the sources within the cities themselves.

ICS Clean Air Framework

The ICS Clean Air Framework is a free tool enabling ICS leaders to take action to secure cleaner air and a healthier future for their region. The Framework can be used to develop a stand-alone Clean Air Action Plan, or to integrate and prioritise clean air actions in a Green Plan.

Learning to treat the climate emergency together: social tipping interventions by the health community

Doctors have a role in tackling air pollution: here’s how some are rising to the challenge

BMJ feature article

UKHACC Ten commitments for organizations

We’ve produced a set of guiding principles for health organisations to demonstrate leadership and take steps to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

GOSHpods goes Green.

'Goshpods goes Green!' is a weekly podcast starting in Feb 2023, focusing on the important issue of sustainability in health care, how healthcare practices are contributing to this emergency, and discuss the small steps that all healthcare professionals can take on the road to instigating bigger changes within the NHS.

Ella’s Fight: Clean Air For All

Ella Kissi-Debrah is thought to be the first person in the world to have air pollution listed as a cause of death. Ten years on we follow her family’s fight for clean air for all. Find out about Ella's Law and watch a BBC film.

UK Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2022 Air pollution

This report is about air pollution and its solutions in England, but it is also an international problem. There is a lot we can learn from best international practice. Many air pollutants travel long distances, so emissions and air quality in continental Europe affect the UK and vice versa.

Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill an opportunity to protect health and reduce the strain on the health service

The Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill is a Private Members’ Bill started in the House of Lords, where it passed through with cross-party support. This briefing note has been produced ahead of the second reading of the Bill in the House of Commons in February 2023.

This is what good looks like.

Video of ErasmusMC Cycling infrastructure. This is what an effective green team can achieve in a receptive environment. Something for us all to aim for.

Positive, global, and health or environment framing bolsters public support for climate policies

This study finds that that a positive frame, health and environmental frames, and global and immediate frames bolster public support.

Inner London Ultra Low Emission Zone Expansion One Year Report

In this one year report, we evaluate the impacts of the ULEZ and the LEZ schemes, focusing on one year following the ULEZ expansion to inner London and for the LEZ, over a year and a half on from the enforcement of tighter LEZ standards.

ClimaHealth : Global Knowledge for Climate and Public Health

Informing action to protect populations from the health risks of climate change. A comprehensive resource assembled and curated by the World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization.

Editorial: COP27 Climate Change Conference: urgent action needed for Africa and the world

Wealthy nations must step up support for Africa and vulnerable countries in addressing past, present and future impacts of climate change This Comment was published simultaneously in multiple journals. For the full list of journals see: https://www.bmj.com/content/full-list-authors-and-signatories-climate-emergency-editorial-october-2022

UK Government Health Guidance on Air Pollution

A report in 2018 on the health impacts of air pollution in the UK.

Medact

Medact is a UK charity for global health, working on issues related to conflict, poverty and the environment.

People's Health Movement

People's Health Movement is a global network of health activists, organised to combat inequities in health.

The Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance

A community of researchers, service providers, and citizens committed to addressing the adverse impacts of climate change on mental health.

Climate & Health Equity Practice Fellowship

Climate & Health Equity Practice Fellowship is a climate medicine leadership development program for working physicians in the Global South.

Health Declares Climate & Ecological Emergency

A grassroots group of healthcare professionals from across the UK, lobbying for climate action from healthcare institutions.

Yale Center on Climate Change and Health

Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education

Aiming to unite health professional training institutions, health societies, and regional health organizations to create a global climate-ready health sector.

Climate for Health

Climate for Health is a national initiative led by a diverse network of health leaders from across the health sector, committed to advancing climate solutions.

Centre on Climate Change & Planetary Health

Working to prepare governments, academia, health systems and citizens for a new era of public health: one that can embrace and contend with the realities of the Anthropocene.

Let Me Breathe

Stories on climate change, sustainability and pollution.

Lancet Countdown

Tracking the connections between public health and climate change.

Health and Energy Platform of Action

A platform for strengthening cooperation between health and energy sectors.

Médecins Sans Frontières

Médecins Sans Frontières, or Doctors Without Borders, is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation

Global Alliance for the Future of Food

A strategic alliance on food justice and planetary health.

E3G

An independent think tank aiming to steer the global transformation we need at the pace our planet requires.

EAT Forum

EAT is the science-based global platform for food system transformation.

Action for Global Health

A network of the UK’s biggest thinkers, advocates and researchers

Health and Climate Network

The HCN is a community of experts and organisations working together to advocate for health-centred climate policy.

WHO Policy Brief: Loss and Damage

A report on loss and damage from the WHO.

WHO Policy Brief: Climate Change, Health & Intergenerational Equity

It is critical that UNFCCC Parties recognize that the stabilization and reduction of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.

Green Impact Toolkit

The toolkit aims to help General Practices make better decisions in this climate and ecological emergency.

NHS Net Zero Initiative

The National Health Service is aiming to reach net zero by 2040.

Greener Practice Initiative

A community of healthcare professionals working together to inspire sustainable primary care.

UK Royal College of General Practitioners

The RCGP acknowledges the climate crisis and the catastrophic effect on human health of not acting decisively and urgently.

UK Health Climate Alliance

The UK Health Alliance on Climate Change brings together health professionals to advocate for just responses to the climate and ecological crisis.

Planetary Health Alliance

The Planetary Health Alliance is a consortium of over 300 universities, non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and government entities from around the world committed to understanding and addressing global environmental change and its health impacts.

Centre for Sustainable Healthcare

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare offers strategic input and consultancy on sustainable healthcare research and practice to national and local programmes.

European Young Family Doctors Movement

The Vasco da Gama Movement is the Network for Young and Future Family Doctors of the European Regional Branch of the World Organization of Family Doctors.

Doctors for Extinction Rebellion

Doctors for XR is an activist group which welcomes members from all healthcare backgrounds.

Ride For Their Lives

Our campaign to mobilise the healthcare community. Join us!

Healthcare for a Green New Deal

Health for a Green New Deal is building a grassroots-powered health movement for a just and green society, one that prioritises the health of people and planet over profit.

Health Professionals for a Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty

Health professionals call for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to protect lives of current and future generations.

The Healthy Climate Prescription Letter

An urgent call for climate action from the health community.

RCPCH action plan for tackling climate change

Read the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health's action plan

The Health Argument for Climate Change

Read the COP26 special report on climate change and health: the health argument for climate action.