Following the launch of the first-of-its kind Blueair CPD education programme initiated a year ago by the Child Health Academy over 80,000 Health Care Professionals (HCPs) have been trained on the impact of indoor air pollution on early child development.

HCPs who have undertaken the CPD module titled ‘Indoor Air Pollution – an invisible threat to child health’ include midwives, child health professionals, nurses, pharmacists, health visitors, GPs, school professionals and students. After taking the module, seven out of 10 say they would recommend Blueair air purifiers*.

One HCP commented on the module: “This module has enlightened my knowledge about pollution, even though I had little insight about it. Taking this module has broadened my knowledge and ability to confidently advise others, especially colleagues and mothers.”

The Blueair CPD module, which is available to Health Care Professionals in both the NHS and private sector, highlights the importance of clean air within the home and the negative impact that air pollution has on early child development. Launched a year ago, the module has been hugely successful in giving practical information on the causes of air pollution inside the home and what measures can be taken to reduce this.

With children of all ages spending more time at home due to home schooling and online learning during recent months, this module couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time. Currently one of the most sought-after modules offered by the Child Health Academy, an impressive 96% of Health Care Professionals have given the module the highest ratings of ‘excellent or good’.

Professor Dave Clarke, PhD, MA, BSc (Hons), RGN.RSCN, commented, “It’s extremely important for midwives and health visitors to understand the impact indoor air pollution can have on child development, something this CPD module has helped them to do. This educational programme, the first of its kind to focus on indoor air pollution, offers healthcare professionals a unique opportunity to understand the impact of household pollution on the health and development of infants and the growing foetus – and practical measure to take.”

Sara Alsen, Chief Purpose Office at Blueair says, “Blueair was founded on the firm belief that every child has the right to clean air. As a result, we have spent the last two decades making air purifiers designed to create the safest environment for children to develop and grow. I am very proud that we have been able to raise awareness around the importance of clean air for children on a large scale amongst British HCPs.”

The launch of the Blueair education module last year coincided with a study released around the same time by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health on the topic of indoor air pollution. One of the RCPCH recommendations following this study was the need for clear information to be made readily available to the child health professionals, which is what the Blueair Child Health Academy module provides.

* Based on a survey carried out in collaboration with The Health Professional Academy to 1,378 UK Child Health Professionals conducted in April to September 2020