Rosamund Kissi-Debrah

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah is a British grassroots campaigner who raises awareness of asthma and the health problems that can be caused by air pollution. Her work followed the death of her nine-year-old daughter, Ella Roberta Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, which was eventually attributed to excessive air pollution from London's South Circular Road.

Campaigning

Kissi-Debrah's campaign for clean air followed the death in 2013 of her nine-year-old daughter, Ella Roberta Adoo-Kissi-Debrah. Ella Roberta had experienced severe asthma attacks over several years, and the 2014 inquest reported only on Ella Roberta's medical care. Kissi-Debrah learned about the adverse health effects of air pollution, and campaigned for air pollution to be included on her child's death certificate. Her campaign led to a second inquest in 2020, where evidence about air pollution was considered, with the Record of Inquest finding: "Died of asthma contributed to by excessive air pollution". The subsequent Report to Prevent Future Deaths identified the South Circular Road, London as the source of pollution. The finding was covered in the media at the time. In 2023 Great Ormond Street Hospital started to add average air pollution data for patient's postcodes their files so that this could be considered during diagnosis and treatment, while recognising that it may not be possible for patients to change where they live, work or play. In January 2024, Kissi-Debrah began High Court legal action against three British government departments in an attempt to establish a legal right to clean air.