On 26 September, World Environmental Health Day is marked, promoted by the International Federation of Environmental Health, this year under the theme “Clean Air, Healthy People”. The date highlights the importance of air quality as an essential determinant of health and wellbeing, reinforcing the collective responsibility to reduce pollution and adopt more sustainable practices.
At the National School of Public Health, NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA NSPH), environmental health is a central area of research and education, where we seek to understand how factors such as air, water, soil, and biodiversity influence population health. Promoting healthy environments means preventing disease, protecting ecosystems, and building more resilient and sustainable societies.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for around 7 million premature deaths worldwide each year. In the European Union, the European Environment Agency estimates that 239,000 annual deaths are linked to exposure to fine particles at concentrations above WHO recommendations. Beyond the human impact, these factors carry high economic and social costs, putting pressure on healthcare systems and hindering sustainable development.
The Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at NOVA NSPH has taken on a leadership role in this area, integrating national projects (PMCardImpact) and major European initiatives such as K-HEALTHinAIR, NEMESIS, INTERCAMBIO, PARC, and EXPOSIM. These projects assess environmental risk factors for health, strengthen the link between science and public policy, promote environmental and occupational literacy, and involve citizens in innovative solutions.
“Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental risks to human health. At NOVA NSPH, we are developing scientific evidence with the aim of transforming knowledge into action, contributing to safer cities, healthier communities, and a sustainable future,” stressed Susana Viegas, coordinator of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at NOVA NSPH and faculty member.
An example is the PMCardImpact project, which identified the proportion of cardiovascular disease attributable to air pollution from fine particles, “essential knowledge to guide public health strategies and environmental policies at national level,” noted Carla Martins, lead researcher of the project.
By marking World Environmental Health Day, NOVA NSPH reaffirms its commitment to producing high-quality scientific knowledge and training professionals capable of responding to the environmental challenges that impact population health in Portugal, Europe, and worldwide.
