From Evidence to Action: Ending Lead Poisoning | WHO Director‑General Message

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-26

[00:00:01]Honorable ministers, Dr. Tom Frieden, excellencies, dear colleagues and friends, I thank Bloomberg Philanthropies and Resolve to Save Lives for organizing this event with WHO.

[00:00:16]Lead poisoning is a major public health challenge and one that's entirely preventable.

[00:00:23]It harms millions of people around the world, especially children, whose health, development, and future potential can be affected for life.

[00:00:34]Lead exposure can damage the brain and nervous system, reduce learning capacity, and cause long-term harm to health and well-being.

[00:00:45]It's also a leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease.

[00:00:50]There is no safe level of lead exposure.

[00:00:55]Yet, lead continues to be found in products and environments where people live, learn, and work.

[00:01:04]This must change.

[00:01:06]WHO is committed to supporting countries to prevent exposure, protect communities, and save lives.

[00:01:16]That's why we're developing a global action plan and evidence-based technical package to help countries strengthen policies, identify sources of exposure, and implement effective solutions.

[00:01:30]Today, you'll hear more about the first elements of that package.

[00:01:35]Preventing lead poisoning is not only a health imperative, it's an investment in children, in education, in productivity, and in healthier societies.

[00:01:47]Thank you all for your commitment to ending this entirely preventable threat and to building a healthier, safer, and fairer world together.

[00:01:59]I thank you.