21st February 2025
This Voices blog has been written by Dr Alice Willson (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Clinical Fellow – Clean Air Fund Partnership and Paediatric registrar – North West deanery). Alice shares the new RCPCH Air Companion which features resources and training on air pollution, how it impacts our health, and how we can support families. The Companion has been developed for healthcare professionals, including health visitors.
Dr Alice Willson (Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health (RCPCH) Clinical Fellow – Clean Air Fund Partnership and Paediatric registrar – North West deanery)
At the RCPCH, we have included climate change in our strategic plan since 2020 and, for the last couple of years, have received funding from the Clean Air Fund to focus particularly on the effects of air pollution. Not only is this a tangible issue that paediatricians can get behind, it is also the second biggest risk factor for death globally – making it a public health crisis.
My interest in air pollution is multi-pronged. As a paediatrician, I see the effects of air pollution on patients (evidence shows that there are spikes in respiratory admissions when the air quality is worse). I am also a runner and mum to two school-age children, who walk alongside car exhausts on their daily commute. It frankly terrifies me to know the impact this could be having on all our health.
It has been a pleasure to work with the iHV team over the last few months, to help shape the development of respiratory resources for health visitors and the families they support. What I heard from health visitors involved in the project was that the impact of air pollution is not commonly taught and that levels of confidence around communicating these are low. But that health visitors are uniquely placed within communities, and indeed within homes, to see and understand how families are affected by indoor and outdoor pollution.
I learnt a lot about the huge levels of deprivation that many families are facing and how this is increasing their risk of exposure to a range of inhalants – making good education and tailored support on this topic vital. I was really encouraged by the enthusiasm these health visitors had for learning more about air pollution and, in particular, practical ways to support families without further burdening them.
Empowering child health professionals to communicate with children, young people (CYP) and families is one of the key areas we have been working on at RCPCH. We recognise that there are many barriers including time, knowledge and confidence. As such, we have developed the Air Pollution Companion as a one-stop shop. It includes a summary of evidence, as well as useful resources for staff and CYP. We filmed simulations of air pollution conversations with health professionals at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. We haven’t done one with a health visitor yet, but maybe we should? Let us know what you think!
We are delighted to be working with the iHV and appreciate the role that all health professionals play in ensuring the prevention of ill health in our children. Multi-disciplinary teams are much stronger than those acting in silos, so if anyone would like to join our Clean Air Network, they would be most welcome (you can register your interest on the RCPCH webpage).
Dr Alice Willson (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Clinical Fellow – Clean Air Fund Partnership and Paediatric registrar – North West deanery)
iHV’s work in respiratory health
To hear more about what the iHV is doing in this area, read our Voices blog on the iHV Leadership Conference: Change for the Better, which showcased inspirational speakers discussing the impact of climate change on the health of children.
You can also book onto our Respiratory Health Ambassador Training which is taking place in March, we have three dates available. The training is virtual and the complimentary places will be offered on a first-come first-served basis, follow the link to learn more and book on.
