Exposure to air pollutants is associated with an increase in respiratory diseases, more frequently in the susceptible population (children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases).#KnowYourNumber (#conoceTuNumero) is the scale that reflects the health risks associated with air pollution levels and provides messages that serve as a guide to stay health...

In October 2017, NYU’s Marron Institute of Urban Management delivered a preliminary report to SEDEMA outlining the development of an indicator tool intended to improve air pollution risk communication in Mexico City. The primary objective was to provide a quantitative means for improved risk communication via a health-based indicator that is both simple in construction and easy to use. This indica...

The guidelines for the first national Air Quality Index, the Air and Health Index (Índice AIRE y SALUD - IAyS), were established in NOM-172-SEMARNAT-2019, which came into effect in 2020. The main objective of this NOM was to standardize and provide a single method for obtaining an Air Quality Index for all cities and metropolitan areas in the country that have an atmospheric monitoring system. Thi...

This webpage explains the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), a 1–10+ scale used to communicate the health risks associated with local air pollution in Canada. It describes the four risk categories and corresponding health recommendations, including guidance for people more vulnerable to poor air quality, and explains that the AQHI is calculated using ground-level ozone, particulate matter and nitrog...

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) compiled by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of Hong Kong informs the public of the short-term health risk of air pollution in Hong Kong and helps the public take precautionary measures to protect their health.  Here you can learn how the AQHI works and what it can tell you about the short-term health risk of air pollution....

In response to a call by experts for WHO to promote health-based AQIs (29) and building on WHO’s recent work to support evidence-based risk communication (5,15,29–31), including at the country level (32), the current report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of AQIs from a public health perspective. The report focuses on health-based AQIs or AQHIs, including a review of existing practices, s...

As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pursues its mission to protect human health and the environment, EPA staff practice risk communication every day. Effectively communicating science and potential health risk is one of the most important jobs we have. The SALT Framework is based on a process of Strategy, Action, and Learning and is supported by Tools that together provide a research-based...

Why these guidelines were developed (objectives and scope)These guidelines aim to provide WHO Member States, partners and stakeholders involved in emergency preparedness and response with evidence-based, up-to-date, systems-focused guidance on:approaches for building trust and engaging with communities and affected populations;approaches for integrating risk communication into existing national an...

Air pollution is one of the most important environmental problems affecting people's health, particularly in urban areas of Europe. Over the past decade, air quality has slowly improved in many of Europe's cities, as a direct result of more robust air quality policies across various governance levels, the introduction of targeted measures and actions, and technological improvements that have reduc...

Background: Air pollution remains a significant public health risk, particularly in urban areas. Effective communication strategies remain integral to overall protection by encouraging the adoption of personal air pollution exposure reduction behaviours. This study aims to explore how community health professionals can be empowered to communicate air pollution information and advice to the wider c...