The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration between environmental and health experts to better understand and address the impact of air pollution on public health.
The agreement is intended to ensure that environmental policy is guided by scientific evidence on the health effects of air pollution, while improving air-quality management and reducing the burden of disease in affected communities.
The MoU sets out a framework for cooperation between the two institutions in areas including research, policy development, health impact assessments, data sharing, air quality monitoring and public awareness initiatives.
Together, the SAMRC and DFFE aim to generate evidence that supports more effective interventions and strengthens decision-making on environmental health issues.
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Focus on air quality and health
Air pollution remains one of the leading environmental risks to health globally and is linked to respiratory disease, cardiovascular conditions, stroke, cancer, and premature death, a joint statement reads.
In South Africa, communities near industrial zones, power stations, transport routes and informal settlements are often most affected.
The partnership will support research into emissions from various sources, strengthen surveillance of pollution-related health outcomes and improve access to environmental data for health studies.
It will also contribute to the development of early warning systems to help protect vulnerable populations during periods of poor air quality.
Protecting vulnerable communities
Maesela Kekana, DFFE’s deputy director-general for Climate Change and Air Quality Management, said the partnership will strengthen the scientific foundation of government policy.
“Clean air is fundamental to the health and well-being of all South Africans. This partnership enables us to strengthen the scientific foundation of our air quality policies and interventions by drawing on the SAMRC’s world-class health research expertise,” said Kekana.
He added that the collaboration will help government better understand the real health impacts of air pollution and improve outcomes for communities.
SAMRC President and CEO, Prof Ntobeko Ntusi, said the agreement highlights the importance of research in addressing complex societal challenges. “The health effects of air pollution extend far beyond environmental concerns and represent a significant public health challenge,” Ntusi related.
“Through this partnership, the SAMRC will contribute scientific evidence that helps policymakers understand how environmental exposures affect human health and where interventions can have the greatest impact.”
He said the goal is to ensure research translates into policies that reduce health inequalities and improve quality of life.
Strengthening public health response
As the SAMRC works closely with the national Department of Health, the MoU also opens the door for broader collaboration with government and other stakeholders to address environmental health challenges, including climate change.
The partnership is expected to play a key role in ensuring that public health considerations remain central to environmental policy and sustainable development in South Africa.
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