Dr. A. Karim Ahmed, from National Council for Science and the Environment, USA, presented his paper co-authored with Dr. Audrey R. Chapman, working with American Association for the Advancement of Science, USA). Dr. A. Karim Ahmed in his presentation, Monitoring the Status of Children's Health Development and Use of Critically Needed Environmental Health Indicators and Benchmarks gave an overview of the global status of children's health. According to him, children face a double burden of diseases categorized as poverty related illnesses and suffer from environmentally related impacts. Neonatal diseases are the major cause of death among children under five years of age and according to WHO estimates, 40% of diseases due to environmental factors occur among children of the same age.
He presented a methodology used for development of environmental health indicators and benchmarks, including definitions, human rights criteria for selection of indicators and benchmarks, objectives, distinction between preventive and remedial indicators etc. While discussing performance-based indices (PBIs), he said that PBIs provide means to track performance of regulatory agencies in achieving environmental health standards or guidelines. He concluded by saying that there is a need to develop indicators and benchmarks that are not only valid and practical but also cost-effective.
Prof. Andrey K. Demin from the I.M. Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy in his presentation Tobacco Use: Prime Health Concern among Children in Russia discussed the high prevalence of smoking in children, and strongly criticized the multinational tobacco industry for targeting children who are the most vulnerable and politically weak group of a population. He further lamented that the tobacco consumption is rising in the country because the state does not emphasize tobacco control, which is also evident from the fact that Russia has neither signed nor ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). He felt that private businesses are also socially irresponsible with a few exceptions.
His recommendations included the development and implementation of effective anti-tobacco legislation and a national plan, ratification and implementation of FCTC, extension of smoke free zones at work place etc. He also stressed upon the need for a comprehensive ban on all advertising and sponsorship by the tobacco industry, revision of school curricula and provision of pro-health activities for the youth. While referring to the findings of a survey which indicated the youth's low awareness of risks associated with tobacco use, he recommended the dissemination of information to clarify the ‘tobacco myths' common amongst youth.
The session was chaired by Mr. Lutfullah Kakakhel from Peshawar Universiyt, Pakistan. The session discussant Dr. Mehmood A. Khwaja of SDPI stated that divisions existing within developing countries, should be accounted for. He also emphasized on capacity building of stakeholders to enable them to develop and use indicators and benchmarks. While discussing the points highlighted in Prof. Demin's presentation, he said that huge revenues generated by tobacco industry make tobacco control a low priority for government. He added that unemployment issues would arise in case tobacco industry is closed down. He highlighted that both the presentations did not mention safe use of chemicals.
The audience felt that enormous risks associated with tobacco use outweigh high revenues generated by tobacco industry and demanded alternative livelihood sources for people associated with tobacco industry. One participant pointed out the positive role religion can play in prevention of smoking.
Reported by Aisha Mukhtar
| Email Article |  |
Print Article | |
Next Article |
PDF Format
