Development for children's environmental health in South Africa: Past gains and future opportunities

In poorly resourced countries children may face multiple health risks associated with environmental hazards and under-development. It is estimated that exposure to harmful environmental factors (e.g. air pollution, poor water quality and harmful chemicals) accounts for 33% of the global burden of di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Development southern Africa (Sandton, South Africa) South Africa), 2018-03, Vol.35 (2), p.283-293
Main Authors: Mathee, Angela, Barnes, Brendon, Naidoo, Shan, Swart, Andre, Rother, Hanna-Andrea
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air pollution
Chemicals
Children
Children & youth
Childrens health
Climate change
Development policy
Economic underdevelopment
Environmental aspects
Environmental hazards
Environmental health
Health care policy
Health problems
Health risk assessment
Health risks
Housing
Living conditions
South Africa
Sustainable development
sustainable development goals
Urgency
Water pollution
Water quality
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Summary:In poorly resourced countries children may face multiple health risks associated with environmental hazards and under-development. It is estimated that exposure to harmful environmental factors (e.g. air pollution, poor water quality and harmful chemicals) accounts for 33% of the global burden of disease, with the highest burden being borne by children. While accelerated housing and settlement development over the past two decades has benefitted hundreds of thousands of young children in South Africa, large numbers continue to face major environmental threats to their health, some of which have hitherto been neglected. Such children are likely to be particularly vulnerable to the unfolding ramifications of climate change. In this light greater urgency and momentum is needed to improve living conditions and other socio-environmental determinants of children's health in South Africa and other under-resourced countries. Children should be a central focus for policy and development as our global society strives to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
ISSN:0376-835X
1470-3637
DOI:10.1080/0376835X.2017.1419857