Land Use Fires (LFS) led to 1.53 million global deaths annually, with a disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income countries, says a recent study published in the Lancet.
The study was coordinated by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). It involved experts from Monash University. This collaboration unveiled this alarming data about the health impacts of air pollution from LFS.
The study, which analyzed data from 204 countries, highlighted that 0.45 million deaths were due to cardiovascular diseases and 0.22 million deaths were caused by respiratory conditions. A staggering 77.6% of these deaths were attributed to particulate matter (PM2.5), while ozone (O3) contributed to 22.4%. Notably, over 90% of all LFS-related deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Asia showed the highest disease burdens.
GEOGRAPHIC DISPARITIES IN HEALTH IMPACT
Sub-Saharan Africa bore the heaviest burden, with 606,769 deaths annually related to Land Use Fires. Southeast Asia (206,817 deaths), South Asia (170,762 deaths), and East Asia (147,291 deaths) followed the Sub Saharan Africa. Mortality rates have declined in some trends over the decades. Still, these regions continue to face significant health challenges due to LFS air pollution. In contrast, North and Central America experienced rising trends in AMRs for cardiovascular diseases. Mediterranean countries faced increasing AMRs for respiratory diseases.
INCREASED CARDIOVASCULAR MORTALITY RATES
The study also uncovered a worrying trend in cardiovascular mortality rates, which increased by an average of 1.67% per year globally (ptrend <0.001). Yet, trends for all-cause and respiratory mortality were not statistically significant. This rise is particularly troubling. There is a direct link between air pollution and cardiovascular diseases. These diseases remain a leading cause of death worldwide.
SOCIOECONOMIC GAPS AND DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACTS
The data also revealed a stark contrast between low-income and high-income countries with respect to Land Use Fires. In 2019, the AMRs in low-income countries were four times higher than those in high-income countries. Yet, this gap had reduced from nine times in 2000. The study highlighted a negative correlation between AMRs and a country’s socio-demographic index (SDI). It emphasized the critical role that socioeconomic factors play in determining the health outcomes related to LFS pollution.
THE ROLE OF CHINA, INDONESIA, AND SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Countries like China, Indonesia, and several in sub-Saharan Africa have a particularly high disease burden. These regions often experience both natural and human-made fires. They continue to face severe public health challenges because of poor air quality. The study emphasizes the need for urgent climate action. It also highlights the necessity for increased support from wealthier nations to address the root causes of LFS pollution.
THE URGENT NEED FOR CLIMATE ACTION
The study used data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study. It reinforces the need for intensified climate action. This is necessary to mitigate the adverse health impacts of air pollution. Reducing LFS-related emissions and supporting affected regions, especially low-income countries, in building resilience to air pollution are essential steps toward safeguarding global public health.
