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The G7 Health Ministers met in Milan on 5-6 November 2017 to discuss the health and environmental challenges of the 21st century. The aim was to discuss policy actions that ministers can put in place to guarantee a healthier future. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report, “Healthy people, Healthy planet” was presented at the meeting, offering a broad analysis of the current situation.
Photo by Alex Gindin on Unsplash
While air pollution and other consequences of climate change are increasing health problems, food waste and overconsumption of food are disturbing the environment. More food is wasted, more natural resources go to the garbage. A healthy diet implies not only a healthy body but a healthy planet. But how can authorities act?
According to the G7 report, the seven ministers are aware of the problem and committed to improve health systems:
“The G7 can make a difference in addressing the health impacts of air, water, and soil pollution and thus prevent deaths and disabilities caused by related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) […]. We will work collaboratively to share best practices and implement innovative approaches to improve surveillance and monitoring systems and support progress to reduce the burden of NCDs.”
The ministers also claimed that they will pay attention particularly to maternal, newborn, and child health by closing critical gaps for adolescents’ health, with a specific focus on the poorest and most vulnerable. This requires context-specific investments in evidence‐based interventions that address the root causes of mortality, morbidity, discrimination, and violence. The ministers concluded: “We will promote women’s and adolescents’ rights related to health and health care, according to the G7 Roadmap for a Gender Responsive Economic Environment.”