Workshop on air pollution and health in East Africa
Background
Countries in East Africa experience high levels of air pollution as well as significant health impacts from both outdoor and household air pollution. As such, targeted interventions could play an important role in improving air quality and alleviating the associated public health impacts. As public and governmental interest in the topic is growing, there is also a greater demand for data and evidence on air pollution levels and trends as well as health effects.
This workshop brought together a broad range of organizations and stakeholders interested in air pollution and health across East Africa, especially in Kenya and Uganda. This included researchers, healthcare practitioners, professional societies, national and regional non-profit groups, bi- and multi-lateral organizations, federal and local government agencies, ministries, and research institutes.
Goals
This workshop:
Reviewed the status of current data and evidence on air quality and associated health effects in the region and its interlinkage to current policy debate and actions.
Discussed concrete strategies for collaboration and strengthening technical expertise on air pollution and health in East Africa.
Deliberations at the workshop will feed into HEI’s work and engagement in East Africa and contribute to focusing air quality policies and actions on those most beneficial to public health in the region.
Organizers
The workshop was organized by the Health Effects Institute in partnership with the Stockholm Environment Institute – Africa Centre (SEI Africa), World Resources Institute (WRI Africa), Eastern Africa GEO Health Hub (Kenya), and AirQo with financial support from the Clean Air Fund.
Meeting Platform
The workshop was held at the Sarova Panafric Hotel. The workshop was hybrid with opportunities to attend the meeting in-person or virtually. The workshop was conducted in English.
On the third day, (March 31st) there was a half-day training session on health impact assessment for air pollution.
For questions, please contact Victor Nthusi at: vnthusi@healtheffects.org.
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