Using health evidence to strengthen air quality standards and protect communities in Lao PDR

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, with technical and financial support from the World Health Organization (WHO) through the Green Climate Fund project on strengthening climate-resilient health systems, convened a national workshop to review air quality standards and strengthen the use of health evidence in air quality management.

Air pollution is one of the leading environmental risks to health, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, noncommunicable diseases and premature deaths. The workshop supports ongoing efforts by Lao PDR to strengthen air quality monitoring, management and public communication in line with national health, environment and climate priorities.

The workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, development partners, academic institutions and technical experts to support a review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Discussions focused on reviewing available evidence on air pollution, identifying priority pollutants and emission sources, comparing existing standards with the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines, and defining roles and responsibilities for the review process.

© WHO / Will Seal

© WHO / Soudaphone Viravongsa

The workshop also aimed to support the implementation of the Health National Adaptation Plan, particularly its focus on air quality and health promotion, by strengthening the health sector’s role in air quality governance, risk communication and evidence-informed decision-making.

WHO (AirQ+) tool to conduct health impact assessment were also introduced, helping participants better understand and quantify the health burden associated with air pollution. Strengthening the use of health data and evidence can support more informed policy decisions and ensure that air quality standards provide greater protection for public health, particularly among vulnerable populations.

The workshop was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and WHO Lao PDR, with technical support from the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Climate Change and Health Impact Assessment at Curtin University, Australia, and the Nanyang Technical University of Singapore.

© WHO / Soudaphone Viravongsa

“Partnerships between the health and environment sectors are essential because cleaner air means healthier people,” said Ms Bounmany Soulideth, Deputy Director of Pollution Control Division, Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. “Strengthening collaboration today will help ensure that future policies and actions deliver real benefits for communities.”

Looking ahead, the ultimate goal is not simply to measure air pollution more effectively, but to use the information to better protect health. The public health response action plan developed through the workshop will be implemented as part of the Health National Adaptation Plan, helping to reduce health risks from air pollution and support healthier communities across Lao PDR.

© WHO / Soudaphone Viravongsa