EU urged to do more on children's health

Europe’s most deprived children are more likely to be exposed to environments that are “seriously” damaging their health, according to a damning new report out today.

The paper says that while the poor suffer disproportionate exposure to environmental harm, women and children within these groups suffer most.

The report, produced by the Centre for Environmental Policy and Law (CEPL) and the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), was launched as part of the WHO-sponsored review of the Children’s Environmental and Health Action Plan for Europe.

It says poor and ethnically marginalised people in central and eastern Europe are more likely to lack access to water, sewerage and other environmental benefits.

“This situation is further exacerbated by inadequate access to health care,” it says.

The report cites case studies, including the death of a two-year-old from lead poisoning and of child deaths from cancer attributed to the environmental conditions in which they live.

Genon Jensen, executive director of Brussels-based HEAL, says the report is “not without hope”.

“Investing in the poorest and minority groups provides huge opportunities for improving child health in Europe,” said Jensen.

This would mean clean-ups of contaminated areas, greater support for local groups and stronger engagement with women in marginalised communities.

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