MEDBOX | Toolbox Environment

Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning in Healthcare Facilities: in Resource-Limited Settings

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC (2019) C_CDC

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are a significant burden globally, with millions of patients affected each year. These infections affect both high- and limited-resource healthcare settings, but in limited-resource settings, rates are approximately twice as high as high-resource settings (15 out of every 100 patients versus 7 out of every 100 patients). Furthermore, rates of infections within certain patient populations are significantly higher in limited-resource settings, including surgical patients, patients in intensive-care units (ICU) and neonatal units. It is well documented that environmental contamination plays a role in the transmission of HAIs in healthcare settings. Therefore, environmental cleaning is a fundamental intervention for infection prevention and control (IPC).It is a multifaceted intervention that involves cleaning and disinfection (when indicated) of the environment alongside other key program elements to support successful implementation (e.g., leadership support, training, monitoring, and feedback mechanisms). To be effective, environmental cleaning activities must be implemented within the framework of the facility IPC program, and not as a standalone intervention. It is also essential that IPC programs advocate for and work with facility administration and government officials to budget, operate and maintain adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure to ensure that environmental cleaning can be performed according to best practices

Tags: AMR, Antimicrobial resistance, Health, healthcare, infection prevention, Cleaning, limited resources, health settings, health care facilities,

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/resource-li

Wisner, B; Adams, J Word Health Organization WHO (2003) C_WHO

The WHO Guide to sanitation in natural disasters (Assar, 1971) summarized the essential aspects of environmental health management in disasters. These included the provision of emergency water and sanitation services; the burial or cremation of the dead; vector and pest control; food hygiene; and the assessment of the danger of epidemics following emergencies and disasters, etc. Thirty years later these aspects remain essential, though the needs, challenges and opportunities are greater

Tags: disaster management, emergency, Sanitation, WASH, environmental hygiene, environmental health,

Source: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/20

Global framework for the response to malaria in urban areas

World Health Organization WHO (2022) C_WHO

Cities are uniquely positioned to understand local needs and respond rapidly to changing conditions to safeguard health. These changes require strong city leadership to implement multisectoral, health-relevant policies and public services that engage communities. The response to malaria must be an integral part of such policies and processes. This framework supports the control and elimination of malaria in urban environments. It provides guidance for city leaders, health programmes and urban planners as they respond to the challenges of rapid urbanization in a targeted way. For each urban context, the strategic use of data can inform effective, tailored responses and help build resilience against the threat of malaria and other vector-borne diseases

Tags: Malaria, urban cities, Vector Control, cities, Environment, urban areas,

Source: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstream

Medical Clinics for Planetary Health

Planetary Health Alliance (2022) CC

Case Study. The surprising link between logging and healthcare in Indonesia. You can download the teaching material and the case study after filling in a free registration form. his case study examines a connection between rainforest conservation and affordable healthcare access in communities surrounding Gunung Palung National Park (GPNP) in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. It recognizes that human and environmental wellbeing cannot be seen as separate from one another. Specifically, it explores how deforestation impacts human health and well-being, and how implementing co-beneficial solutions can improve human health while protecting natural ecosystems. Finally, this case study highlights the importance of collaboration to achieve planetary health, both within communities and within organizational teams

Tags: ecosystem approach, Case Study, OneHealth, health care system, environmental health,

Source: https://www.planetaryhealthalliance.org/

Planetary Health Case Studies: An Anthology of Solutions

Planetary Health Alliance (2022) CC

the Planetary Health Alliance issued a call for planetary health case studies to strengthen and expand the field of planetary health by shining a light on cross-sectoral solutions that optimize human health in the face of anthropogenic environmental change. After receiving submissions and proposals from organizations and institutions worldwide, ten diverse case studies were chosen to create a cohesive anthology of examples ranging in thematic area, problem-solving approach, ecosystem characteristics, and geographic region. Our freelance Case Study Writer, Hilary Duff, traveled the world in 2018-2019 conducting interviews with stakeholders and organization leads to build this anthology of planetary health stories. These cases invite students to reflect on the pressing realities of people living in vulnerability, the complex connections between people and planet, and how the anthropogenic acts of one generation can reverberate through the next

Tags: case studies, biodiversity, Zoonotic diseases, health care system, ecosystem approach,

Source: https://www.planetaryhealthalliance.org/

Learning from practice: case studies of health in strategic environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment across the WHO European Region

World Health Organization WHO World Health Organization WHO (2022) C_WHO

Health is routinely considered in strategic environmental assessment (‎SEA)‎ and environmental impact assessment (‎EIA)‎, following requirements of European Union directives and the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (‎Espoo Convention)‎. Policy-makers and other sources report that these assessments mostly adopt a biophysical perspective and that few cases consider or define health in a manner which is consistent with the WHO Constitution, by considering the wider social, economic, behavioural and institutional aspects of health. This systematically conducted review of over 333 SEA and EIA cases in the WHO European Region shows that while about 80% of assessments pursue a narrow, biophysical interpretation of health, around 10% consider wider determinants when defining health, and another 10% consider wider determinants of health in the actual assessment. Twelve case studies are presented, literature is reviewed and implications for practice are considered

Tags: environmental health, european region, practical approach,

Source: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/hand

Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Resources

Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (2022) CC

Acting Together for Environmental health. Imagine hospitals, health care facilities, health systems, and health organizations from around the world working together for a healthier, more sustainable planet…this is Global Green and Healthy Hospitals. GGHH is an international network of hospitals, health care facilities, health systems, and health organizations dedicated to reducing their environmental footprint and promoting public and environmental health

Tags: green checklist, green hospitals, sustainability, Environment, resource platform,

Source: https://www.greenhospitals.net/

World Health Organization WHO; UN Environment; UNICEF (2021) C_WHO

Almost 25% of deaths worldwide could be prevented if the actions in the compendium were fully implemented This compendium provides a systematic compilation of published guidance from WHO and other UN organizations on health and environment. Guidance on policies and actions as well as awareness raising and capacity building interventions is presented for all major areas of health and environment. Guidance referring to priority settings for action such as cities and other urban settlements, housing, workplaces and health care facilities is also listed. For greater practical relevance, each guidance is classified according to principally involved sectors, level of implementation and instruments for implementation. The compilation of guidance for each area of health and environment or priority setting for action is accompanied, as available, by information on main sources, exposure assessment and existing guideline values. Important tools and further resources are presented alongside

Tags: Environment, health action, Policy, Climate, Impact, health, risk factors, air pollution, Climate Change, chemicals, WASH, Radiation,

Source: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstream

Planetary health care: a framework for sustainable health systems

MacNeill A.; Mc Gain F.; Forbes J. (2021) CC

In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change announced that to restrict global temperature rise to 1·5°C, greenhouse gas emissions must decrease 45% by 2030 compared with 2010, and reach net zero by 2050.

Tags: planetary health, environmental health, healthcare, air emissions, gas emissions,

Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpl

Working With the Environment to Protect People: UNEP’s COVID-19 Response

UN environment programme (2020) CC

UNEP steps up work on zoonotics, protecting environment to reduce pandemic risks

Tags: COVID-19, water and sanitation, Climate Change, environmental health, health system recovery,

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/worki

	Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning in Healthcare Facilities: in Resource-Limited Settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC (2019) C_CDC Open external link (36) Add to my MEDBOX Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are a significant burden globally, with millions of patients affected each year. These infections affect both high- and limited-resource healthcare settings, but in limited-resource settings, rates are approximately twice as high as high-resource settings (15 out of every 100 patients versus 7 out of every 100 patients). Furthermore, rates of infections within certain patient populations are significantly higher in limited-resource settings, including surgical patients, patients in intensive-care units (ICU) and neonatal units. It is well documented that environmental contamination plays a role in the transmission of HAIs in healthcare settings. Therefore, environmental cleaning is a fundamental intervention for infection prevention and control (IPC).It is a multifaceted intervention that involves cleaning and disinfection (when indicated) of the environment alongside other key program elements to support successful implementation (e.g., leadership support, training, monitoring, and feedback mechanisms). To be effective, environmental cleaning activities must be implemented within the framework of the facility IPC program, and not as a standalone intervention. It is also essential that IPC programs advocate for and work with facility administration and government officials to budget, operate and maintain adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure to ensure that environmental cleaning can be performed according to best practices Tags: AMR, Antimicrobial resistance, Health, healthcare, infection prevention, Cleaning, limited resources, health settings, health care facilities, Source: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/resource-li
	Environmental Health In Emergencies And Disasters: A Practical Guide Wisner, B; Adams, J Word Health Organization WHO (2003) C_WHO View PDF(2890) Download (1659) Add to my MEDBOX The WHO Guide to sanitation in natural disasters (Assar, 1971) summarized the essential aspects of environmental health management in disasters. These included the provision of emergency water and sanitation services; the burial or cremation of the dead; vector and pest control; food hygiene; and the assessment of the danger of epidemics following emergencies and disasters, etc. Thirty years later these aspects remain essential, though the needs, challenges and opportunities are greater Tags: disaster management, emergency, Sanitation, WASH, environmental hygiene, environmental health, Source: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/20
	Global framework for the response to malaria in urban areas World Health Organization WHO (2022) C_WHO View PDF(38) Download (12) Add to my MEDBOX Cities are uniquely positioned to understand local needs and respond rapidly to changing conditions to safeguard health. These changes require strong city leadership to implement multisectoral, health-relevant policies and public services that engage communities. The response to malaria must be an integral part of such policies and processes. This framework supports the control and elimination of malaria in urban environments. It provides guidance for city leaders, health programmes and urban planners as they respond to the challenges of rapid urbanization in a targeted way. For each urban context, the strategic use of data can inform effective, tailored responses and help build resilience against the threat of malaria and other vector-borne diseases Tags: Malaria, urban cities, Vector Control, cities, Environment, urban areas, Source: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstream
	Medical Clinics for Planetary Health Planetary Health Alliance (2022) CC Open external link (148) Add to my MEDBOX Case Study. The surprising link between logging and healthcare in Indonesia. You can download the teaching material and the case study after filling in a free registration form. his case study examines a connection between rainforest conservation and affordable healthcare access in communities surrounding Gunung Palung National Park (GPNP) in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. It recognizes that human and environmental wellbeing cannot be seen as separate from one another. Specifically, it explores how deforestation impacts human health and well-being, and how implementing co-beneficial solutions can improve human health while protecting natural ecosystems. Finally, this case study highlights the importance of collaboration to achieve planetary health, both within communities and within organizational teams Tags: ecosystem approach, Case Study, OneHealth, health care system, environmental health, Source: https://www.planetaryhealthalliance.org/
	Planetary Health Case Studies: An Anthology of Solutions Planetary Health Alliance (2022) CC Open external link (127) Add to my MEDBOX the Planetary Health Alliance issued a call for planetary health case studies to strengthen and expand the field of planetary health by shining a light on cross-sectoral solutions that optimize human health in the face of anthropogenic environmental change. After receiving submissions and proposals from organizations and institutions worldwide, ten diverse case studies were chosen to create a cohesive anthology of examples ranging in thematic area, problem-solving approach, ecosystem characteristics, and geographic region. Our freelance Case Study Writer, Hilary Duff, traveled the world in 2018-2019 conducting interviews with stakeholders and organization leads to build this anthology of planetary health stories. These cases invite students to reflect on the pressing realities of people living in vulnerability, the complex connections between people and planet, and how the anthropogenic acts of one generation can reverberate through the next Tags: case studies, biodiversity, Zoonotic diseases, health care system, ecosystem approach, Source: https://www.planetaryhealthalliance.org/
	Learning from practice: case studies of health in strategic environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment across the WHO European Region World Health Organization WHO World Health Organization WHO (2022) C_WHO View PDF(68) Download (28) Add to my MEDBOX Health is routinely considered in strategic environmental assessment (‎SEA)‎ and environmental impact assessment (‎EIA)‎, following requirements of European Union directives and the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (‎Espoo Convention)‎. Policy-makers and other sources report that these assessments mostly adopt a biophysical perspective and that few cases consider or define health in a manner which is consistent with the WHO Constitution, by considering the wider social, economic, behavioural and institutional aspects of health. This systematically conducted review of over 333 SEA and EIA cases in the WHO European Region shows that while about 80% of assessments pursue a narrow, biophysical interpretation of health, around 10% consider wider determinants when defining health, and another 10% consider wider determinants of health in the actual assessment. Twelve case studies are presented, literature is reviewed and implications for practice are considered Tags: environmental health, european region, practical approach, Source: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/hand
	Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Resources Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (2022) CC Open external link (259) Add to my MEDBOX Acting Together for Environmental health. Imagine hospitals, health care facilities, health systems, and health organizations from around the world working together for a healthier, more sustainable planet…this is Global Green and Healthy Hospitals. GGHH is an international network of hospitals, health care facilities, health systems, and health organizations dedicated to reducing their environmental footprint and promoting public and environmental health Tags: green checklist, green hospitals, sustainability, Environment, resource platform, Source: https://www.greenhospitals.net/
	Compendium of WHO and other UN guidance on health and environment World Health Organization WHO; UN Environment; UNICEF (2021) C_WHO View PDF(81) Download (60) Add to my MEDBOX Almost 25% of deaths worldwide could be prevented if the actions in the compendium were fully implemented This compendium provides a systematic compilation of published guidance from WHO and other UN organizations on health and environment. Guidance on policies and actions as well as awareness raising and capacity building interventions is presented for all major areas of health and environment. Guidance referring to priority settings for action such as cities and other urban settlements, housing, workplaces and health care facilities is also listed. For greater practical relevance, each guidance is classified according to principally involved sectors, level of implementation and instruments for implementation. The compilation of guidance for each area of health and environment or priority setting for action is accompanied, as available, by information on main sources, exposure assessment and existing guideline values. Important tools and further resources are presented alongside Tags: Environment, health action, Policy, Climate, Impact, health, risk factors, air pollution, Climate Change, chemicals, WASH, Radiation, Source: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstream
	Planetary health care: a framework for sustainable health systems MacNeill A.; Mc Gain F.; Forbes J. (2021) CC Open external link (369) Add to my MEDBOX In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change announced that to restrict global temperature rise to 1·5°C, greenhouse gas emissions must decrease 45% by 2030 compared with 2010, and reach net zero by 2050. Tags: planetary health, environmental health, healthcare, air emissions, gas emissions, Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpl
	Working With the Environment to Protect People: UNEP’s COVID-19 Response UN environment programme (2020) CC View PDF(78) Download (48) Add to my MEDBOX UNEP steps up work on zoonotics, protecting environment to reduce pandemic risks Tags: COVID-19, water and sanitation, Climate Change, environmental health, health system recovery, Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/worki