Children's Health and the Environment includes the major aspects of children's health, influenced by factors in the environment, ranging from the direct pathological effects of chemicals, radiation and some biological agents to the effects (often indirect) on health and wellbeing of the broad physical, psychological and social environment. Children are especially vulnerable to environmental threats in many ways, especially in the fields of air pollution, unsafe drinking water, accidents and poisons.

Effective actions are crucial and should be based on systematic reviews of interventions designed to prevent and reduce risk, whenever this information is available, and be built on existing experience and best practices. Effective action also requires multisectoral approaches, such as those needed to ensure clean air, safe food and water, safe industrial products and safe and supportive human settlements.

The focus is first and foremost on actions that are associated with a substantial reduction of the disease burden in children and that are feasible and effective within a reasonable time frame.