World Environment Day: These Factors Impact Your Health

Observing World Environment Day 2022 is a good way to understand how our health and the environment are directly linked. Water, air, and other environmental factors like heat can directly impact our health, causing premature death and a variety of diseases if they are contaminated or not maintained at natural levels.  

According to a report by the World Health Organization, in 2016 alone, almost 24% of deaths globally were linked to environmental causes [1]. Another research brings to light that almost every day, nearly 1,800 people dwelling in the urban belt of the developing cities meet with death as a result of air pollution [2].  

In fact, in 2019, 1 out of 4 deaths due to air pollution were in India, and the problem of deaths related to particulate matter 2.5 pollution has increased by more than 2.5X in the last 20 years, as per a report by the Centre for Science and Environment. What’s more, water pollution was responsible for the death of 13.6 lakh people in India in 2019, as per another report by the Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health.  

Whether we realize it or not, the environment plays a big role in all our lives. It degrades or improves our health depending on the air we breathe or the water we drink, and so on. This World Environment Day 2022, let’s take a pledge to improve our health and quality of life by getting to know the environment and its effects on human life in depth. This way, you can also help spread the word to your friends and family as you wish them a Happy World Environment Day!  

When is World Environment Day celebrated? 

World Environment Day is celebrated on the 5th of June every year, and this day has been earmarked to discuss and assess the environmental issues that threaten the survival of human civilization.  

This year the World Environment Day 2022 theme is ‘Only One Earth.’ Keeping in mind the deep-rooted climate crisis, how it is impacting our globe, and how it is threatening every species inhabiting the earth, World Environment Day needs to be observed by one and all. This will help us discuss the ways we can check global warming and how we can reverse the adverse conditions of the environment.  

Given the times we are living in, wishing loved ones happy World Environment Day is simply not enough. Each of us needs to think about and look for ways to improve our surroundings so that our progeny and we can breathe in clean air and not compromise on health owing to environmental causes. 

As we inch closer to World Environment Day, look closely at how the environment is impacting your health and try to fight the cause. After all, the earth is our home and, as of now, the only planet that supports life. As such, it is precious, and if we don’t act now, it may be too late.  

Additional Read: Save Lives Clean Your Hands: Why This is So Important 

This World Environment Day, know the impact of your environment on your health 

The environment is nothing but the natural world that forms our surroundings and within which we dwell. All living and non-living things inhabit the natural surroundings, and the way we interact with each other and nature interacts with us has a great impact on us.  

Human health is greatly influenced by the environment because, on a daily basis, we continuously interact with nature and our surroundings. Therefore, it is essential to keep our environment clean and balanced in order to protect our lives from varied hazards. Take a look at these pointers to understand the significance and reason to observe World Environment Day 2022.  

• Environmental influences on your health can have chemical, biological, and physical implications.  
• The primary reasons leading to major illnesses are pollution linked to our soil, air, land, and water.  
• Physical risks for humans owing to the environment can come from particles floating in the air, radiation, heatwaves, and more.  
• On the other hand, you may face biological hazards basis insects, animals, viruses, bacteria, rodents, and even plants.  
• Lastly, chemical hazards can arise from pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, lead, acids, chlorine, and other corrosive substances. 
• You may be exposed to a large number of chemicals and toxins through drinking water, the food you eat, or the air you inhale. The effects of such exposure can be hazardous and can lead to several diseases like cancers, respiratory system disorders like asthma and allergies, as well as other persistent or chronic ailments.  
• Environmental pollution increases your exposure to pathogens, which in turn increases your chances of getting infectious diseases. 

Environmental impact can be felt far and wide, and even though pollution or microbes may be invisible to us, its impact not only leaves an adverse effect on us but also on the next generation. So, observe World Environment Day 2022 and become more conscious about these issues.  

Apart from this, there are numerous other prominent days like Earth Day, World Asthma Day, and International Yoga Day when you can pledge to act responsibly to revive your health and take care of the planet. If you do notice any warning symptoms, be it diarrhea, allergies, or cough, be sure to act proactively. Today you can book an online appointment easily on Bajaj Finserv Health. Without having to step out of your home, you can get to consult an expert physician via a video consultation any time you want. So, take care of your health and heed warning signs to live life to the fullest.