Dr Malcolm White clean air specialist at Global Action Plan - on clean air day

Up, Up and Away - the digital health podcast

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Dr. Malcolm White, a clean air specialist at Global Action Plan, joined hosts Dom Burch and Saira Arif to discuss the critical issue of air pollution and its health impacts. Malcolm highlighted his background in hospital medicine and environmentalism, sharing insights from his experience working in deprived areas where environmental factors significantly affect health.
He's recently led healthcare education projects, delivering teaching to healthcare professionals in primary care and developing supporting materials to complement these projects.
The teaching significantly improved clinician understanding and confidence with regards air pollution. The resources have proved popular and have been adopted by organisations such as the Royal College of Physicians. Malcolm is currently working on encouraging greater actions from the NHS on air pollution at the Integrated Care Systems (ICS) level, in particular working with a cluster of ICSs that represent the South East of England.
The interview delved into the historical context of air pollution in the UK, referencing the deadly smogs of the 1950s and the Clean Air Act that followed. Malcolm emphasised that despite improvements, air pollution remains a significant issue, causing up to 43,000 deaths annually in the UK.
Malcolm explained the importance of clean air zones, although he noted they are not a comprehensive solution. He discussed the extensive health impacts of air pollution, affecting not only respiratory health but also cardiovascular health and even fetal development.
The conversation includes practical steps individuals can take to reduce air pollution, such as using active travel, public transport, and improving indoor ventilation. Malcolm also stresses the crucial role of educating healthcare professionals about air pollution, advocating for its inclusion in healthcare curricula.
Global Action Plan’s initiatives, including the Clean Air Hospital Framework, aim to help hospitals and the NHS reduce their air pollution contributions. Malcolm called for enhanced government action on clean air and improved transport infrastructure.
The podcast concluded with a call to action for listeners to visit the Global Action Plan’s Knowledge Hub for resources and support Clean Air Day efforts.