Nearly 1 in 4 of total global deaths are attributable to an unhealthy environment, according to new estimates from the World Health Organisation. Environmental risk factors, such as air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate change, and ultraviolet radiation, contribute to more than 100 diseases and injuries.
Non-communicable diseases, including chronic respiratory diseases (1.4 million deaths annually), contribute the largest share of environment-related deaths.
Environmental risks take their greatest toll on young children and older people, with children under 5 and adults aged 50 to 75 years most impacted.
According to the WHO report, chis toll could be reduced by using clean technologies and fuels for domestic cooking, heating and lighting to reduce acute respiratory infections, chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and burns.
The adoption of tobacco smoke-free legislation would reduce exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, and thereby also cardiovascular diseases and respiratory infections.
An improvement in urban transit and urban planning, and building energy-efficient housing would reduce air pollution-related diseases and promote safe physical activity.
To read the full report, please visit the WHO website.