Key facts
- Air pollution is the most significant environmental health risk in the European Region. In the WHO European Region, 569 000 deaths could be attributed to ambient air pollution. Transport significantly contributes to this.
- Transport is responsible for about a quarter of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to the health burden of climate change and air pollution.
- Whilst the European Region is the safest of all WHO Regions, more than 68 000 people are killed on the roads every year in the European Region, making it the leading cause of death for those aged 5-29 years of age This means that on average, one person dies every seven minutes.
- Safe urban speed limits, ≤30km/hr, are crucial to reducing the risk of severe or fatal road traffic injuries and vehicle-related air pollution. Safe environments are one of the single most significant determinants of the uptake of active mobility.
- At least 20% of the population of the Region lives in areas with road traffic noise levels considered harmful to health. In urban areas in most countries, this figure exceeds 50%.
- Car dependency, restricted use of public space and lack of safety for cyclists and pedestrians contribute to physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle, increasing the risk of noncommunicable diseases and obesity. Physical inactivity is estimated to cause about 1 million deaths annually in the European Region alone. Obesity also causes approximately 1 million deaths each year.
- Inequalities related to transport and urban sprawl can be found in exposure levels and negative health impacts from air pollution, noise and road safety hazards.
Overview
Transport can play a crucial role in shaping people’s health in the European Region, where the impact of non-communicable diseases – such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and mental disorders – account for almost 86% of deaths and 77% of the disease burden.
Transport is one of the major sectors of the economy in the pan-European region. Travel and mobility are essential components of modern life – providing access to services, goods and activities. At the same time, transport can cause a significant burden on health, well-being and even national economies through emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, noise, demand for land, traffic congestion, injuries and reduced opportunities for physical activity. Social and biodiversity fragmentation and socioeconomic disparities exacerbate the burden.
WHO response
Transforming the transport and mobility sector requires a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, collaboration between decision-makers and experts in transport, environment, health, spatial planning and the economy is crucial when designing transport-related policies that benefit the environment, health and climate simultaneously. Moreover, international, cross-sectoral and multilevel (i.e. national, regional and municipal) cooperation is needed to drive the change to sustainable, environmentally friendly and healthy transport.
WHO, through its European Centre on Environment and Health (ECEH), in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), is providing secretariat service to the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP)– the only international programme designed to integrate environmental and health aspects into transport, mobility and urban planning policies. Through THE PEP, WHO supports Member States in promoting healthier, greener and more sustainable transport and mobility in the Region. In addition, WHO ECEH:
- provides scientific evidence on the benefits of healthy and sustainable transport;
- develops strategic and practical tools to implement green, healthy and inclusive mobility;
- supports strengthening capacities for integrated and intersectoral policy action on transport, health, environment and urban planning.
In 2021, WHO ECEH contributed to developing and adopting the first-ever Pan-European Master Plan for Cycling Promotion. The Master Plan has further boosted the transformation towards clean, safe, healthy and inclusive transport and mobility across the Region.
Furthermore, WHO ECEH contributed to developing the Recommendations for Green and Healthy Sustainable Transport – “Building Forward Better.” These recommendations are meant to support countries transitioning to green, healthy, sustainable transport. A Pan-European Master Plan for Walking is also being developed.