What's the challenge?
In England, 1.5 million children live in substandard homes, where mould, damp and overcrowding increase both the risk and severity of asthma, respiratory infections, and long-term illness. Children living in deprived areas are also more likely to be exposed to toxic levels of air pollution which threatens their current and future health.1
We have heard from members that patients are continuing to have poor health outcomes despite optimal medical management and engagement with healthcare services. This raises concerns that the living environment is a contributing factor.
However, these root causes are rarely addressed in routine NHS care. Many clinicians want to do more but face significant barriers, including lack of time, training, and formal support.
What is a Clean Air Clinic?
Clean Air Clinics are specialist services that support families experiencing health problems linked to poor housing and pollution.
Run by multidisciplinary teams, these clinics combine clinical care with environmental assessments, housing advocacy, and research. They work directly with local authorities and housing providers to secure emergency repairs, safer living conditions, and reduced exposure to pollution.
Their impact is significant: improving children’s living environments and addressing structural drivers of illness that too often go unchecked.
Where are the Clean Air Clinics?
Currently, two novel clinics exist, in Liverpool (led by Professor Ian Sinha) and London (led by Professor Jonathan Grigg and Dr Abi Whitehouse). Borne out of evident health disparities perpetuated by environmental factors, the clinics have utilised research and advocacy led approaches to address the challenges facing their patient populations.
Clean air, healthy childhoods - policy report
This report, published in June 2025, explores innovative clinical responses to environmental health inequalities. It combines findings from interviews with clinic teams, a survey of paediatricians and engagement with children, young people and families.
The Clean Air Clinics profiled stand as a testament to what is possible when we look beyond symptoms to the root causes of illness. They provide compelling evidence that clinicians are both willing and well placed to address the environmental determinants of health. The report also underscores the urgent need for systems, funding and policies that empower us to act effectively on behalf of the children and families we serve.
We hope it highlights the opportunities, challenges and transferable practices that can inform future models of care.
Read here or download from the bottom of this page.
Other resources
To learn more about the Clean Air Clinics, read: Air pollution clinic in London aims to help children with asthma (Guardian)
Or listen to this excellent podcast: #AskAboutAsthma: Clean Air Clinics by Transformation Partners in Health and Care
Contact us
If you are interested to know more, you can contact us at cleanair@rcpch.ac.uk.
- 1Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, 2024. English housing survey: headline report 2022 to 2023. Available at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/english-housing-survey2022-to-2023-headline-report