Sonora Launches First Environmental Health Directorate in Mexico

Sonora’s government, through the Ministry of Public Health, launched a new Environmental Health Directorate aimed at preventing and controlling environmental factors that affect human health. The state became the first in Mexico with a dedicated agency focused solely on this area.

The directorate’s mission is to promote a healthy environment through monitoring risks related to air, water, and soil. Programs on education, awareness, and control will be implemented to strengthen community participation. Coordination with state, national, and international agencies will also address environmental degradation.

The launch coincided with World Environmental Health Day on Sept. 26, a date that emphasizes the need to reduce air pollution, a factor linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The day underscores the importance of sustainable measures to protect both human health and natural resources.

Topics discussed included the links between health and the environment. The conferences emphasized how environmental factors affect health and sustainability, aiming to empower citizens to make decisions that support a resilient and healthy environment.

The initiative included collaboration with institutions such as CONAGUA, PROAES, CEDES, COESPRISSON, SEMARNAT, and PROFEPA, fostering an integrated approach to Sonora’s environmental challenges and strengthening inter-institutional coordination on public health and environmental protection.

The creation of the directorate represents a key step in improving quality of life by addressing environmental determinants of health, reducing risks, preventing diseases, and promoting sustainable development. Authorities called on citizens, the private sector, and government to work together to mitigate environmental impacts and ensure a cleaner, healthier Sonora for current and future generations.