Toward a Lead-Free Future: A Ministerial Dialogue on Preventing Maternal and Child Exposure to Toxic Lead

By UNICEF

77th Session of the World Health Assembly Breakfast Side Event 

(Hybrid Event: In-Person and Virtual Attendance Options Available) 

Wednesday, 29 May, 2024 7:30-9:00 a.m. CEST, Fairmont Grand Hotel, Geneva

On behalf of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), we are pleased to invite you to a high-level side event at the upcoming 77th session of the World Health Assembly: A Ministerial Dialogue: Panel Discussion on Preventing Maternal and Child Exposure to Toxic Lead.

As countries accelerate efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets on maternal, newborn, and child health, the detrimental impacts of lead impede progress. Globally, approximately 1 in 3 children – or 800 million – have elevated blood lead levels. Childhood lead poisoning can lead to lower IQ, attention deficits, poor academic performance and affect their life-long health. Elevated levels of lead in pregnancy can increase complications, including reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Lead poisoning is also a significant causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There is no safe level of lead exposure. Prevention is the only solution, and the health sector has a key role to play in galvanizing and contributing to the multisectoral action needed to mitigate lead exposure and its impacts.

We hope that you will join us for a panel conversation with ministers of health, technical experts, advocates, and policy makers to elevate awareness and explore the tools available to curb lead exposure and its detrimental health impacts.

Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. and the event will start promptly at 7:45 a.m. CEST. Transportation will be provided for participants to proceed to the Palais following the event.