Webinar Series on Air Pollution and Health in East Africa

The complex interactions between climate change and air quality mean that coordinated action can lead to better public health and improved societal outcomes. While the health impacts of climate change are varied, impacts from exposure to air pollution are well known. Over the years, technological advancements and innovations have offered an opportunity for East Africa-based practitioners to align their research with regional and national development priorities, which in turn provides a foundational accountability framework that is resilient over time.

This webinar explored the multiple benefits of pollution prevention in the context of competing priorities such as economic growth, infrastructure development, and food security across the region. Speakers discussed ideas for integrating air pollution and climate action and showcased best practices for pollution prevention and mitigation in high-impact sectors such as energy. The session also highlighted the links to public health and showcased synergistic action across key sectors that contribute to air pollution and climate change. This was the fourth and final webinar in the East Africa Webinar Series organized by the Health Effects Institute.

Webinar materials including speaker slides and the recording will be available soon.

Chair: Andriannah Mbandi, UNFCC High-Level Champions

Watch the Recording

Existing data gaps in East Africa has led to creative data integration and development of fit-for-purpose tools, especially on air quality monitoring. For instance, countries and cities in the region are rapidly adopting low-cost sensors for measurement of air pollutants in an effort to enable and expand access to data on air quality. However, the datasets are not always accessible to the public and usable for research and/or policy applications owing to the lack of harmonized quality assurance and quality control procedures. Administrative healthcare data systems are often manual and incomplete in the region providing an opportunity for demographic surveillance to offset this limitation.

This webinar provided an overview of the currently available air quality and health datasets and assessed the needs and potential applications that can help strengthen air pollution-health evidence.
 

Co-Chair(s): Godwin Opinde, Kenyatta University

Watch the Recording

east-africa-webinar2-logos.png

Capacity building is often considered as a cornerstone of development attracting considerable financial resources in government budgets across East Africa. Improvements in air quality can be realized if capacity strengthening programs are formulated and effectively implemented programs in response to local needs and are informed by available human and institutional capital. 

Local evidence on health effects of air pollution in East Africa remains limited. The available evidence is largely focused on health effects of short-term exposure to air pollution. This webinar will highlight opportunities for strengthening and expanding technical skills and institutional resources to conduct and lead studies on health effects of air pollution across the region. The session will also showcase ongoing projects and programs that deploy a multidisciplinary approach towards long-term skill building. This is the second webinar in the East Africa Webinar Series organized by the Health Effects Institute and is co-hosted with the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS) and the Respiratory Society of Kenya (ReSoK).

Co-Chair(s): Lynn Atuyambe, Makerere University and Cathryn Tonne, ISGlobal

Watch the Recording

hei-c40-logos.png

While air pollution is a major public health threat across Africa, public awareness on health effects of air pollution remains limited. Effective communication on the topic to key stakeholders can help to build support for policy measures that result in air quality improvements over time. Engaging communities, especially those most vulnerable to air pollution, on topics related to the health and other societal effects of air pollution, can also foster greater acceptance and uptake of air quality interventions. 

This webinar will examine approaches to enhance uptake of information related to air pollution and health from a variety of perspectives. Speakers will discuss ideas for mobilizing support for interventions on air pollution and showcase best practices for communicating information on air pollution and health with various audiences. This is the third webinar in the East Africa Webinar Series organized by the Health Effects Institute and is co-hosted with C40 Cities.

Watch the Recording