By Yervand Kondrahjian | Staff Writer
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 74% of all deaths worldwide and represent an emerging public health threat. NCDs are caused by a confluence of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors; although certain non-communicable diseases can be predisposed by genetics, they are more often than not induced by environmental factors, such as air pollution. In fact, the environment plays a major role in disease susceptibility and great advances in public health have been achieved through understanding environmental pollutants.
NCDs are on the rise despite ongoing research and increased public awareness. Even while certain ones may be hereditarily predisposed, the rapidly evolving epidemiology of NCDs emphasizes the significance of social factors such as working life conditions, behavioral factors such as dietary habits and physical activity as determinants of health, and environmental factors such as air pollution.
Air pollution is a major cause of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in many countries, particularly in Southeast Asia. NCDs are worsened by climate change, which has already begun to exacerbate cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Terrestrial ozone (O3) is formed by a series of photochemical reactions involving pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, as well as sulfur dioxide (SO2) generated by the combustion of fossil fuels like coal and oil for electricity generation (Organization, 2006). Elevated levels of O3 and SO2 can impair lung function, worsen asthma attacks, and exacerbate pre-existing heart disease in vulnerable people, among other health effects. In fact, air pollution is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, bringing about chronic asthma, immune dysregulation, and allergic diseases. Polluted air particles can enter the bloodstream and cause a variety of diseases, resulting in increased hospitalizations, susceptibility to cancer, and even premature death. Long-term exposure to air pollution can suppress the initial immune response to infection and increase the risk of pre-existing conditions such as stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and other diseases.
Air pollution is a transboundary environmental problem that requires diverse resources, partnerships, and capacities to leverage best practices. To reduce the risk of NCDs, it is important to create a better environment by reducing air pollution from sources such as power plants. This can prevent health hazards from entering the human body and the food chain. Many strategies to reduce air pollution also aim to mitigate climate change by focusing on areas such as energy and transportation. For instance, promoting the use of less polluting automobiles and public transportation, as well as encouraging walking and cycling, can help to reduce air pollution while also promoting physical exercise. Similarly, reducing red meat consumption can not only directly lower the risk of NCDs, but also mitigate climate change by lowering animal greenhouse gas emissions. Given the increasingly uncertain outlook for global and local policies for clean air, the public needs to be aware of the solutions to reduce pollution and protect health.
NCDs are caused by complex interactions between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. The attributes of the modern world, the ever-changing environment, and increased pollution have all contributed significantly to the rise in non-communicable diseases worldwide, many of which are preventable. The only way to address this issue is through public awareness, public action, and a multidisciplinary approach by scientific experts.