Outdoor air pollution is responsible for between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths in the UK every year.
It causes one in ten cases of lung cancer and can both lead to and worsen a range of health problems, including deteriorating lung function, exacerbating asthma, and increasing incidence of – and hospital admissions for – respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Contributing around 4% of UK carbon emissions, the NHS has an essential role to play in tackling climate change at source to protect the health of our communities now and in the future.
Recognising they are often emitted from the same source, cutting carbon emissions will also significantly reduce the NHS contribution to air pollution, which is notably poorer in some areas across Greater Manchester.