this report presents a wide-ranging assessment and detailed ndings to show by how much and in what ways improving the environment can promote health and well-being. The realization of just how much disease and ill health can be prevented by focusing on environmental risk factors should add impetus to global efforts to encourage preventive health measures through all available policies, strategies, interventions, technologies and knowledge. armed with the evidence of what is achievable – and needed – health-care policy-makers and practitioners alike should be encouraged in their efforts to promote healthy environments. our evolving knowledge about environment-health interactions will support the design of more effective preventive public health strategies and interventions, directed at eliminating health hazards and reducing corresponding risks to health.

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