Turning Data Into Action: WPA Welcomes WHO’s Country Scorecards
WHO has released its 2024 Health and Environment Country Scorecards, covering 194 countries. The scorecards measure national progress on key environmental determinants of health, such as air pollution, water and sanitation (WASH), chemical and radiation risks, climate change, and environmental hazards in healthcare facilities. For the first time, a summary score provides a clear snapshot of how these conditions affect health outcomes (who.int).
From the WPA perspective, these scorecards are more than data, they are a wake-up call. Patients and communities experience the consequences of unsafe environments every day. The findings highlight urgent gaps that require cross-sector action and stronger collaboration between health and environment ministries.
Countries such as Norway and Canada ranked highest overall, while Argentina, Jordan, and Malawi led in their respective income groups. Regionally, Europe scored strongest, followed by the Americas, Western Pacific, and Eastern Mediterranean.
“Patients live the impact of environmental hazards every day. These scorecards show what is clear to us: health depends on safe air, clean water, and well-protected environments. We urge countries to use this data to set priorities and include patient voices in shaping the solutions,” said Andrew Spiegel, Chair, World Patients Alliance.
WPA calls on WHO, Member States, and partners to ensure that patient representation particularly from vulnerable and marginalized communities guides the use of these scorecards. Only by turning evidence into inclusive action can countries protect both people and the planet.