Air pollution can be damaging to everyone’s health, especially for children with asthma. In the UK every year it causes 20,200 respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions and up to 43,000 deaths a year.
NHS North East London, together with Global Action Plan, have designed resources and training to provide you with the tools to talk to families and support children with respiratory conditions and reduce their exposure to air pollution.
For a limited time in 2024 we have a dedicated service for children and families in Newham, click here to find the participating community pharmacists who are ready to provide expert advice: Free sessions for Newham children with asthma and wheeze.
A word from Dr Rachel Parker (3 minutes a 36 seconds) on the 2024 pilot.
“5 of the 10 places with most deaths related to air pollution in England are in north east London, (source: Department of Health and Social Care).
“Our Air Pollution and You checklist is a simple way for children and families to see what actions they can take to help reduce their exposure to air pollution.
“We have also developed a short animated video narrated in 13 community languages, to make this information accessible to as many families as possible.”, says Dr Rachel Parker, Clinical Lead for Air Quality in NEL.
The table below sets out the resources available to you as a health professionals. The materials have been co-designed with local children, families and health professionals.
Many thanks in advance for undertaking the training and sharing these resources.
If you have any questions regarding the resources available, please contact: nelondon.teamchildhealth@nhs.net
| Resources available for health professionals | |
| Air Pollution and You checklist | Air Pollution and You – checklist |
| Air pollution animations | To show patients during consultations, group sessions or upload to your waiting rooms screens: English including subtitles. 13 languages including subtitles: Clean Air Animations Videos Playlist Air pollution posters and screensavers available to download from this page. Air pollution screensaver |
| airTEXT | Sign up for free air pollution messages via text or email www.airtext.info/signup Air pollution forecasts for Greater London, including air quality, UV, pollen and temperature airText – Air pollution forecasts for Greater London, Chelmsford and Colchester |
| Air Pollution training video – 8 minutes, 17 seconds | YouTube Link – Recorded presentation from Dr Rachel Parker to learn more about the impacts of air pollution on health AirqualityLondon@london.gov.uk |
| Stop smoking support letter | Smoking cessation support letter |
| Housing support letter | Housing support letter – To send to local authorities, housing associations or landlords regarding the impact poor housing condition is having on a patient’s health |
| Other videos on Air Pollution and Asthma | www.cleanairhub.org.uk/mobilising-health-professionals For more in-depth information on Air Pollution and Asthma, see videos from experts in this field, Professor Grigg and Professor Holgate. |
| Greater London Authority High air pollution alerts | AirqualityLondon@london.gov.uk Sign your organisation up to receive an email on high air pollution days (3-8 times per year). |
| Office of Health Improvement and Disparities and Guidance: Air pollution: applying All Our Health | Air pollution: applying All Our Health – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) |
| Dedicated Asthma pages for NEL Primary Care Professionals | Asthma – North East London (icb.nhs.uk) |