Better environment means better health — CHR – Manila Bulletin

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), which joined the international community to observe the World Health Day 2022 on April 7, said that a healthier environment is better for health.

It pointed out that this years theme Our Planet, Our Health highlights the interconnectedness between the environment and people’s health.

“A heating world caused by climate change and the increased burning of fossil fuels have led to the environmental degradation that affects the life of our ecosystems — from the loss of animal habitat to soil, air, and water pollution that impacts the health of people and lead to diseases and injuries worldwide,” it said in its social media post.

CHR reported that in the Philippines, environmental pollution has unfortunately led to an increase risk of respiratory illness. This is due to poor air quality as well as other water-borne diseases like Typhoid or Cholera. This is also due to Filipinos’ lack of access to clean drinking water, it said.

CHR stressed the importance of good health as a human right. It is high time that Filipinos pay more attention to the environment and take better care of the ecosystems. This will lead to their wellbeing.

“This World Health Day reminds us of the ties that bind us humans and the environment as part of natures ecosystem,” the CHR said.

“In protecting and promoting our right to health, let us not forget the importance of a sustainable and resilient environment for the benefit of our health and the future generations, it stressed.