Dr Maria Neira is WHO’s Assistant Director-General for the Division of Healthier Populations. She leads the Organization’s efforts to achieve one billion more people enjoying better health and well-being through interventions relating to the environmental, social, and economic determinants of health (climate change, tobacco control, chemical safety, road safety, food systems and nutrition, physical activity, air pollution, radiation) through a One Health approach. Dr Neira has served as Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health (formerly Public Health and Environment) since 2005. Previously, Dr Neira was Vice-Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs in Spain for three years and President of the Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (AESAN). She has worked in Mozambique, Rwanda El Salvador, and Honduras. A medical doctor by training, specialized in Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, she has received multiple awards and merits, including the “Médaille de L’Ordre National du Mérite” by the Republic of France.
