Eco-action will lead to healthier population

The plea, which came out of the agency’s latest board meeting, is backed up by hard evidence in the form of a new report, Better Environment, Healthier People.

While good progress has already been made in contributing to the protection of public health – emissions to air by industry fell substantially over the past 10 years, in large part as a result of tighter regulation carried out by the EA – more needs to be done.

“Our recent report Better Environment, Healthier People confirms that people’s health and their environment are inextricably linked,” said Barbara Young, chief executive of the agency.

“With this in mind we need to work closely with health professionals and others to drive forward change to create a better place for people not just wildlife.”

The EA believes that by focussing efforts on environmental improvements, action can be taken to improve the health and well-being of the entire nation.

It has developed work plans addressing environment and health priorities for a number of areas including;