Health

By improving air, water, and soil quality and limiting pollution released to nature, the EU has significantly contributed to enhancing human health in the last five decades. Yet, many vulnerable groups continue to be impacted by environmental degradation and climate change. Further improvements can help keep Europeans healthier and better equipped to cope with climate change impacts.

A healthy and pollution-free nature allows Europeans to live longer and healthier lives. But despite significant progress, harm to the environment and a changing climate continue to affect public health.

One in 10

premature deaths in Europe are still linked to pollution.

Climate change is also aggravating the health effects of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and flooding. And these effects are far from equal across the EU. Some groups, like low-income communities, the elderly, and children, have a much higher chance of suffering the consequences of an unhealthy environment and climate change.

The EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan aims for pollution levels that are no longer considered harmful to our health and ecosystems. Other initiatives under the European Green Deal also aim to reduce exposure to pollution and its health impacts.

Overall, Europeans enjoy high-quality drinking and bathing water and cleaner air than almost all other regions in the world. Still, European pollution levels and other environmental risks continue to affect Europeans’ health.

97%

of the EU’s urban population was exposed to fine particulate matter

above World Health Organisation guidelines.

Environmental risks are estimated to cause over 18% of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in Europe.
Nearly 70 million Europeans are exposed to noise levels above 55 decibels from traffic daily.
230 million tonnes of chemicals hazardous to health were consumed in 2020, a 4% increase from 2019.
More than 10% of Europe’s cancer burden may be caused by exposure to air pollution, carcinogenic chemicals, radon, UV radiation and second-hand smoke.

By improving the environment and reducing pollution, we can improve the quality of life, well-being and overall health of citizens in Europe and abroad.

How is the quality of the environment where you live and how does it affect you?

Explore European environment and health atlas

ImageTomasz Jędrzejczyk, Well with Nature/EEA

Who benefits from nature in cities?

Parks, urban forests, tree-lined streets and riverbanks support urban well-being by providing space for rest, relaxation and exercise, and by keeping temperatures down. However, not everyone across Europe enjoys equal access to green space in cities.

The EEA briefing reviews the evidence of socio-economic and demographic inequalities in access to the health benefits derived from urban green and blue spaces across Europe. It showcases examples of green spaces that were designed to meet the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged social groups.

See EEA briefing

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What is the air quality like where you live?

Explore European Air Quality Index

ImageIlona Sopuch, Well with Nature/EEA

One out of ten cancer cases in Europe are preventable

Cancer impacts the lives of many Europeans, with nearly 2.7 million new patients diagnosed and 1.3 million deaths each year in the EU-27.

Environmental and occupational exposure to pollutants and others risks contributes significantly to the high burden of cancer in Europe. However, all environmental and occupational cancer risk factors are largely preventable. Our report 'Beating cancer' provides a brief overview of the evidence on the environmental and occupational determinants of cancer in Europe and of EU policy responses.

Health

How is the quality of the environment where you live and how does it affect you?

Who benefits from nature in cities?

Dive deeper

What is the air quality like where you live?

One out of ten cancer cases in Europe are preventable

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