5-minute
update:
Air pollution for child health professionals
RCPCH Clean Air Fund partnership 2025
What is air pollution?
Why does air pollution matter?
Economic loss: outdoor air pollution currently costs 2.6% of the UK’s GDP annually
We all breathe
Health inequalities: structural inequalities mean that some groups are more severely affected e.g. living next to roads, crowded accommodation, pre-existing ill health
Young Person
Advocacy – Air Pollution in the UK recommends
• Personal - we are role models in our own community, educate ourselves and make small steps (travel, food, finance etc)
• Professional – make air pollution conversations business as usual e.g. choosing medications that reduce emissions as well as being better for the patient, taking care not to blame the individual. In leadership roles advocate for sustainable practice.
• Political – use our trusted voices to speak up on local, regional and national platforms.
Key points
• Air Pollution is a major public health threat globally and we see the clinical consequences daily
• Child health professionals are some of the most trusted people in society – we have a moral duty to act
• Taking action on air pollution can be intimidating, but there is lots of information and support out there
• Start small – a conversation with a colleague or a patient – it might change the course of their life
Air Pollution Companion
Your ‘one stop shop’ to learn about air pollution and child health and integrate it into your practice
Developed by the Clean Air Fund Partnership team, including Clinical Fellows and RCPCH policy experts www.rcpch.ac.uk/air-pollution
