ach year, an estimated 12.6 million people globally die from environmental health risks due to poor sanitation and dangerous water and air pollution levels, according to the World Health Organization.
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health, which produces some of the world’s best-known healthcare brands, knew it had a role to play in addressing these devastating human health challenges.
“Our company is focused on health and healthy people—every thing we work on is designed to make people’s lives healthier,” explains Katie Decker, Global President, Essential Health, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health. “How can we continue to do that if we’re not serious about the health of the planet, too?”
That’s why Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health is announcing the launch of the Healthy Lives Mission, with the company investing $800 million through 2030 to improve the health of people and the planet. This builds on decades of efforts from the Johnson & Johnson family of companies.
As part of the initiative, all Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health brands will aim to give full transparency on all of the ingredients used in their products so consumers can make the most informed choices. The brands will use 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable plastic packaging and certified/post-consumer recycled paper- and pulp-based packaging by 2025. And the Aveeno®, Johnson's®, Listerine®, Neutrogena® and OGX® brands will strive to use 100% recycled plastic in their bottles by 2030.
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health is also focusing on addressing complex preventable health issues—in particular, eradicating smoking and preventable skin cancers—by collaborating on initiatives both inside and outside the company.
"We’re accelerating action to bring forward innovations that can help protect the health of our consumers, their communities and the planet," Decker says.