Health And Enviromental News
Reducing emissions of air pollutants in Europe
Air pollution has decreased significantly over the past two decades, with a 45% reduction in PM2.5-related deaths in the EU between 2005 and 2022, moving closer to the 55% reduction target for 2030. However, air pollution remains the leading environmental health risk in Europe, contributing to an estimated 239,000 premature deaths due to fine particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide levels exceeding World Health Organization recommendations, as well as causing various health issues that impose substantial costs on healthcare systems.
Watch: Climate finance | Empty promises at COP29?
The COP29 climate conference extended its schedule due to dissatisfaction with rich nations’ $250 billion annual commitment by 2035. Developed nations proposed raising the commitment to $300 billion USD, but it still fell short. An official statement was not made until Saturday night. The money is meant to help poorer countries tackle climate change and move towards eco-friendly energy options.
Baku COP29 advances health-climate commitments with new coalition
COP29 marked a critical moment in the global effort to address both health and climate issues. The COP Presidencies event titled “Health at the Centre of Climate Agenda” organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), Spain, Azerbaijan, and the COP29 Presidency. The event highlighted progress since the inaugural Health Day at COP28, with key discussions focusing on implementing climate-health financing, expanding innovative financing, and expanding collaboration at the country level. The coalition, led by Azerbaijan, seeks to establish a lasting framework to achieve significant health outcomes from previous climate commitments. The initiative brings together the progressive leadership of five COP presidencies during this critical time for action, highlighting a commitment to elevate health in the climate agenda.
Prolonged exposure to pollution may lead to lung, heart ailments’
Medical experts in Bhopal shared details about the signs of COPD, ways to prevent it, and how to treat it on World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day. People are more likely to get COPD if they were born prematurely, had many or serious lung infections as a child, or have asthma. However, COPD can be avoided and controlled by quitting smoking, staying away from pollution, changing one’s way of living, and regularly seeing a doctor.
Disease outbreaks are inevitable, but pandemics can be prevented: Ganapathi
India is creating an extensive system to address disease epidemics. The Indian government operates 22 Biosafety Level 3 and 4 laboratories that work together as a network. India has a solid history in producing vaccines. The current disease events in the nation involve the Nipah virus, monkeypox, and Chandipura virus. India is working on developing systems such as ‘One Health’ and improving transportation and supply chain management.
Ambient (outdoor) air pollution
Air pollution outside is a significant issue for public health, impacting individuals across all income levels in countries with low, middle, and high economic status. The pollution in the air outside, whether in urban or rural settings, was projected to lead to 4.2 million early deaths globally in 2019. This number of deaths is attributed to exposure to very small particles in the air, which are linked to heart and lung diseases, as well as cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that in 2019, approximately 68% of early deaths related to air pollution were from heart disease and stroke, 14% from chronic lung conditions, 14% from sudden respiratory infections, and 4% from lung cancer. Individuals in countries with lower and middle incomes bear a heavier load from outdoor air pollution, with 89% (of the 4.2 million early deaths) happening in these regions. The areas with the highest impact are the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions, highlighting the critical role air pollution plays in causing heart disease and fatalities.
WHO lists additional mpox diagnostic tests for emergency use
The World Health Organization has listed two more mpox in vitro diagnostics under its Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure. The Xpert Mpox test is designed for use on compatible GeneXpert systems. The cobas MPXV assay, developed by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., is a real-time PCR test capable of detecting both mpox clades. WHO is working with manufacturers of the EUL-listed products and national regulatory authorities in affected countries to facilitate domestic registration or emergency listing. The WHO EUL is a risk-benefit assessment designed to meet urgent needs during public health emergencies based on limited available data.