The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new report detailing the severe health consequences of air pollution on global populations. According to the report, air pollution was responsible for approximately 6.7 million deaths in 2019, with 85% of these attributed to noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. The report also highlights the impact of air pollution on cognitive health, linking it to increased risks of neurodevelopmental disorders and cognitive decline in both children and adults.
A publication in eClinicalMedicine (part of The Lancet Discovery Science) found that air pollution played an important role in the dynamic transition of stroke and dementia, even at concentrations below the current criteria in the UK. A literature review in the journal Environments also highlighted a growing number of studies on air pollution and the development of frailty and cognitive impairment in elderly people. Furthermore, a UK government committee of experts reviewed 69 studies and concluded in 2022 that it was likely air pollution accelerated cognitive decline in elderly people and increased the risk of developing dementia.
In their report, WHO emphasizes that air pollution is a major environmental risk to health, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries where air quality regulations are often less stringent. The organization calls for immediate and coordinated efforts from governments, industries, communities and individuals to mitigate the effects of air pollution. Key recommendations include the adoption of clean energy solutions, stricter air quality standards and policies aimed at reducing emissions from industrial, transportation and agricultural sources.
A recent State of Global Air (SoGA) report found air pollution to be responsible for 8.1 million deaths worldwide in 2021, making it the second leading risk factor for mortality, including among children under five. The report, backed by UNICEF, underscores the urgent need for global action to reduce air pollution, emphasizing its severe impact on public health, particularly in vulnerable populations. It calls for coordinated efforts to implement clean energy solutions and enforce stricter air quality regulations to protect human health.
This latest report from WHO underscores the need for increased public awareness and education on the health risks associated with air pollution, as well as the promotion of sustainable practices and technologies to improve air quality.
Disclosures: This article was created by the touchRESPIRATORY team utilizing AI as an editorial tool (ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat.) The content was developed and edited by human editors. No funding was received in the publication of this article.
