Compendium of WHO and other UN guidance on health and environment

Welcome to the global repository of interventions for creating healthier environments and improving health

The Compendium is a comprehensive collection of available WHO and other United Nations (UN) guidance for improving health by creating healthier environments. It provides an overview and easy access of 500 actions, and a framework for thinking about health and environment interventions. It covers a broad range of areas such as air pollution, water, sanitation and hygiene, climate change, chemicals, radiation, or food systems.

Guidance is classified according to principal sectors involved, level of implementation (national, community, health care), and the type of instrument (taxes, infrastructure etc.).

The Compendium compiles existing guidance from over 400 documents in a simple and systematized format. To ensure the most up-to-date information is provided to the end users, the Compendium will be updated yearly, or as soon as a major WHO or other UN guidance on health and environment is being released.

The target audience includes any decision-makers with relevance to health and environment, and those assisting them (such as mayors, staff in ministries, UN country staff etc.).

The Compendium has been prepared by WHO in cooperation with UN Environment, UNDP and UNICEF.

Short animation introducing the Compendium
Animation video
Click here to access a short animation on the scope of the Compendium of WHO and other UN guidance on health and environment

Access the full Compendium

Compendium of WHO and other UN guidance on health and environment, 2022 update
1 APRIL 2022

Compendium of WHO and other UN guidance on health and environment, 2022 update

This updated version of the compendium provides a systematic compilation of published guidance from WHO and other UN organizations on health and environment….

Launch

3 September 2021

Departmental news

WHO and UN partners’ compendium of 500 actions aims to reduce diseases from environmental factors and save lives

Browse the Compendium by thematic areas

Access the background document

Guidance on air pollution and health

Guidance on WASH and health

Guidance on solid waste and health