Global burden of diseases attributable to air pollution

Abstract

Air pollution has remained a major issue of concern over the years with serious toxicological effects on human health. This paper evaluates the comparison of estimates and describes the global burden of diseases related to air pollution in the regions of WHO from 1990 to 2015. The study uses existing data from IHME on global burden of diseases (Mortality and Disability Adjusted Life Years) related to air pollution such as Trachea, Bronchus and Lung cancer, COPD, Ischemic heart disease and Stroke. This study shows that air pollution is one of the major environmental risk factors for the global burden of disease in 1990-2015 and has remained relatively stable for the past 25 years. By region, the largest burden of disease related to air pollution is found in Western Pacific and South-East Asia, reflecting the heavy industry and air pollution hotspots within the developing nations of these regions. Moreover, the rates of Disability Adjusted Life Years increased because of increase in pollution, especially in South-East Asia region, African region, and Eastern Mediterranean region where populations are both growing and ageing.

Keywords

• Air pollution, Burden of diseases, Regions of World Health Organisation.