In 1989, concerned about the growing evidence of the impact of hazardous environments on human health, WHO/Europe initiated the environment and health process to raise awareness and start collaboration between sectors, particularly the health and environment sectors. Sectors are brought together through ministerial conferences, to work on common issues and to shape the European agenda on health and environment.

Ministerial conferences: the pillars of the process

The First Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health was held in Frankfurt in 1989, followed by one in Helsinki in 1994 and one in London in 1999. The most recent Conference, held in Budapest in 2004, focused on children and launched the Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe to improve the protection of future generations. As an intermediate milestone, in 2007 an intergovernmental meeting reviewed progress in the implementation of commitments made in Budapest and identified the priorities to be addressed by the Fifth Conference.

The preparatory process for the next conference, to be held on 10-12 March 2010 in Parma, Italy, started in March 2008 with the first of three high level meetings. The second meeting took place in October 2008 and the third in April 2009.

The conclusions of an international public health symposium on environment and health research, aiming at bridging the gap between science and policy, informed the agenda of the Fifth Conference.

Steering the process: the European Environment and Health Committee (EEHC)

The EEHC, which brings together representatives from health ministries, environment ministries, intergovernmental and civil-society organizations, monitors and reports on countries' work to implement their commitments. Its second key role is promotion and advocacy, by sharing experience and best practice and building partnerships with a range of stakeholders.