Virtual Dialogue: Policy change to bring down air pollution

Exposure to air pollution is among the leading factors that increase the risk of developing and dying from cancer, yet it is still often missing from cancer control policies and advocacy efforts around the world. To help address this gap, UICC is launching a series of virtual dialogues to share new evidence, discuss policy solutions, and support cancer organisations to advocate for cleaner air and promote healthier living as a cancer prevention priority.

This second session in the series launched UICC’s policy and advocacy guide and focuses on how cancer organisations can engage with clean air policies in practice.

Participants:

• Learned about key policy and regulatory tools to reduce air pollution.
• Heard examples of how health and civil society actors can support clean air action.
• Identified feasible entry points for cancer organisations in different contexts.
• Reflected on how cancer prevention perspectives can strengthen air quality policies.

Speakers: 

• Veronica Le Nevez, Head of Impact and Engagement, The George Institute for Global Health 
  Dr Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed, Scientific Advisor and the Head of the Professional Development and Scientific Research Department, Qatar Cancer Society
• Dr Samantha Pegoraro Technical Officer – Air quality, Energy and Health Unit, WHO
• Dr Urvashi Prasad, Director, Centre for Air Pollution & Environmental Health (PAVANA)
• Ms Phoebe Ongadi, Executive Director of KENCO

This Virtual Dialogue was held with simultaneous interpretation in French and Spanish.

Watch the recording