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environments, healthy children |
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Every year, over five
million children aged 0 to 14 die from diseases
related to their environment, reported the Director-General
of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Consequently, there is a major initiative by WHO to tackle the worldwide environmental
crisis affecting children’s health. “Healthy Environments for Children” was
the theme of World Health Day held on 7 April this year.
Children’s family and home life, school and neighbourhood impact their
health and development. The past decades have witnessed many changes in these
environments. We need to understand more about how children’s lives are
affected by these changes.
Environmental risks
Generations of children around the world have been exposed to basic environmental
risks such as unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, indoor air pollution,
insufficient food hygiene, poor housing and inadequate waste disposal.
Modern-day risks include the use of dangerous chemicals, inadequate disposal
of toxic waste, other environmental hazards, as well as noise and industrial
pollution. Unsafe chemicals in toys and household products may also harm children.
In Singapore, falls, road accidents, drowning in public pools, and exposure to
or poisoning from harmful chemical products are some of the risks children face.
Emerging potential threats to health include global climatic changes, ozone depletion,
contamination by organic pollutants and chemicals, as well as other hazards and
emerging diseases.
Practical solutions
Strategies have been developed to combat these threats. However, the range of
environmental risks confronting children demands a coordinated approach and the
involvement of all.
Some examples of effective actions we can take are: |
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Washing
hands with soap before meals and after
passing motion for improved hygiene and
sanitation. This significantly reduces
the risk of diarrhoeal diseases that are
a major health concern in developing countries. |
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Preventing
children from smoking and protecting them
from second-hand smoke so as to reduce
the risk of respiratory (lung) disorders
and other ill health effects later in their
lives.
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Covering
water storage containers, and regularly
emptying and drying out containers that
retain water. This eliminates potential
mosquito breeding sites such as buckets,
discarded food containers, flower pots,
vases, clogged drains and other articles
where water can collect. This will help
reduce dengue
transmission risks. |
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Ensuring
that cleaners, fuels, solvents, pesticides
and other chemicals used at home and in
schools are clearly labelled and safely
stored away. Parents, teachers and child
minders should be informed of the potential
chemical hazards in the places where children
spend their time. |
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Educating
community members on first aid is critical. Homemakers
and child minders need to be informed of the
common safety risks in the home and the precautions
they can take. In Singapore, these would be specific to risks arising from living
in high-rise buildings as well as our fast-paced, busy lifestyles.
Other practical ways to counter health threats to children are ensuring that
they use helmets when riding on motorcycles, scooters and bicycles, as well as
child safety seats and safety belts when travelling in motor vehicles. It is
also important to teach children road safety rules and swimming, while encouraging
the supervision of children around water will also help in preventing injuries
or accidents.
A positive home environment
Early and appropriate stimulation of young children is important for their growth
and development. A sufficient income and the presence of two parents during the
early years are also crucial to a child’s well-being. |
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more information, call: |
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Counselling
and Care Centre at 6536
6366 |
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Care
Corner (Mandarin) at
1800 353 5800 |
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Samaritans
of Singapore (24-hour
hotline) at 1800 221
4444 |
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Singapore
Association for Mental
Health (SAMH) at 1800
283 7019 |
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Website
http://www.hpb.gov.sg
http://www.healthylife.org.sg |
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