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Dust and Sand Storms-Fact Sheet

Did you know that dust or sand storms are natural events that usually occur when STRONG WINDS lift a large amount of sand, dust, dirt and other fine particles from bare and dry soil into the atmosphere, transporting them to sites hundreds to thousands of kilometres away? Depending on weather conditions and fine particle sizes, dust can remain suspended in the atmosphere for a few hours or several days. However, its impact can last for months and years afterwards and can be dangerous for several reasons.

SAMRC supports global ban on lead in paint

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has reiterated its support for the global ban on lead in paint in the build-up to this year’s International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week taking place from the 20th to 26th October 2019. 

WHO Housing and health guidelines

The new WHO Housing and health guidelines were officially launched during the opening plenary of the 15th International Conference on Urban Health.

View the Guidelines on the WHO website.

Tips to keep children and the elderly safe in hot weather

Children’s Environmental Health Educational Toolkit

Accidents & Injuries

Indoor Air Pollution

The Health, Environment Development Study. Preliminary results from Phase One

More than half of the world’s population now live in cities, and by the year 2050, urban populations are expected to comprise more than 75% of all people (UNFP, 2007). The health of the world’s people is therefore increasingly a matter of urban health. However, urban growth, especially in sub-Saharan Africa has occurred mainly in informal settlements and other areas of “concentrated disadvantage” (Vlahov et al 2007) such as inner city areas and the city periphery, with the prospect of increasing burdens of ill health and rising inequities.

Rodent Prevention fact sheet

What you can do to keep RATS away from your house.

Rats can contaminate food, spread disease, damage property and cause injuries and bites especially to small children. As far as possible, contact between rats and people should be prevented. Rats can survive on very little, needing only food, water and some shelter. This leaflet gives some simple steps to take to help keep rats away from your house and family.

View the complete fact sheet

Health Aspects of Urbanization in Africa

The purpose of this paper is to outline the urbanization process in Africa, and to describe some of the environment and health implications of rapid urban growth in a selection of African cities. Much of the paper is based on case studies of ten cities, specially prepared for this purpose. The paper is divided into four main sections.

The Hazards of Hookah Pipe (Hubbly Bubbly) Smoking

Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool

Urban HEART is a user-friendly guide for local and national officials to identify health inequities and plan actions to reduce them. Using evidence from WHO’s Commission on Social Determinants of Health, Urban HEART encourages policy-makers to develop a holistic approach in tackling health equity.

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