The Health Impacts of Air Pollution in the Context of Changing Climate in Africa: A Narrative Review with Recommendations for Action
Introduction: Despite the broad improvement in air quality, air pollution remains a major leading global risk factor for ill health and deaths each year. Air pollution has a significant impact on both health and economic growth in Africa. This paper reviews the health impacts of air pollution and th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Ubiquity Press
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Annals of Global Health |
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| Online Access: | https://account.annalsofglobalhealth.org/index.php/up-j-agh/article/view/4527 |
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| author | Lynn M Atuyambe Raphael E Arku Natasha Naidoo Thandi Kapwata Kwaku Poku Asante Guéladio Cissé Belay Simane Caradee Y Wright Kiros Berhane |
| author_facet | Lynn M Atuyambe Raphael E Arku Natasha Naidoo Thandi Kapwata Kwaku Poku Asante Guéladio Cissé Belay Simane Caradee Y Wright Kiros Berhane |
| author_sort | Lynn M Atuyambe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Despite the broad improvement in air quality, air pollution remains a major leading global risk factor for ill health and deaths each year. Air pollution has a significant impact on both health and economic growth in Africa. This paper reviews the health impacts of air pollution and the benefits of air pollution mitigation and prevention on climate change. Methods: We conducted a narrative review and synthesized current literature on the health impact of air pollution in the context of changing climate in Africa. Results: Particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in Africa pose significant health risks due to various sources, including household fuels and industrial emissions. Limited air quality monitoring hampers accurate assessment and public health planning. Africa’s rapid urbanization exacerbates air pollution, impacting vulnerable populations disproportionately. Renewable energy adoption and improved monitoring infrastructure are crucial for mitigating air pollution’s economic and health impacts. Recommendations include adopting air quality standards, identifying pollution sources, and prioritizing interventions for vulnerable groups. Integrating renewable energy into development plans is essential for sustainable growth. African leaders must prioritize environmental policies to safeguard public health amid ongoing industrialization. Conclusions: Air pollution prevention remains a vital concern that requires leaders to engage stakeholders, and other opinion leaders in society. African leaders should proactively explore new avenues to integrate non-polluting renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind and hydropower into their national development plans. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5e42503c78854bffa13677508b921b76 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-9996 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Ubiquity Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annals of Global Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-5e42503c78854bffa13677508b921b762025-01-08T07:52:56ZengUbiquity PressAnnals of Global Health2214-99962024-12-01901767610.5334/aogh.45274527The Health Impacts of Air Pollution in the Context of Changing Climate in Africa: A Narrative Review with Recommendations for ActionLynn M Atuyambe0Raphael E Arku1Natasha Naidoo2Thandi Kapwata3Kwaku Poku Asante4Guéladio Cissé5Belay Simane6Caradee Y Wright7Kiros Berhane8Makerere University, School of Public Health; The Eastern Africa GEOHealth HUBDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts AmherstEnvironment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, PretoriaEnvironment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria; Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgKintampo Health Research Centre, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo North MunicipalitySwiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel; University of Basel, BaselAddis Ababa University, Addis AbabaEnvironment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria; Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgColumbia University, New YorkIntroduction: Despite the broad improvement in air quality, air pollution remains a major leading global risk factor for ill health and deaths each year. Air pollution has a significant impact on both health and economic growth in Africa. This paper reviews the health impacts of air pollution and the benefits of air pollution mitigation and prevention on climate change. Methods: We conducted a narrative review and synthesized current literature on the health impact of air pollution in the context of changing climate in Africa. Results: Particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in Africa pose significant health risks due to various sources, including household fuels and industrial emissions. Limited air quality monitoring hampers accurate assessment and public health planning. Africa’s rapid urbanization exacerbates air pollution, impacting vulnerable populations disproportionately. Renewable energy adoption and improved monitoring infrastructure are crucial for mitigating air pollution’s economic and health impacts. Recommendations include adopting air quality standards, identifying pollution sources, and prioritizing interventions for vulnerable groups. Integrating renewable energy into development plans is essential for sustainable growth. African leaders must prioritize environmental policies to safeguard public health amid ongoing industrialization. Conclusions: Air pollution prevention remains a vital concern that requires leaders to engage stakeholders, and other opinion leaders in society. African leaders should proactively explore new avenues to integrate non-polluting renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind and hydropower into their national development plans.https://account.annalsofglobalhealth.org/index.php/up-j-agh/article/view/4527adaptationair pollutionfossil fuel burningenergyenvironmental healthvulnerabilityparticulate matterpm2.5 |
| spellingShingle | Lynn M Atuyambe Raphael E Arku Natasha Naidoo Thandi Kapwata Kwaku Poku Asante Guéladio Cissé Belay Simane Caradee Y Wright Kiros Berhane The Health Impacts of Air Pollution in the Context of Changing Climate in Africa: A Narrative Review with Recommendations for Action Annals of Global Health adaptation air pollution fossil fuel burning energy environmental health vulnerability particulate matter pm2.5 |
| title | The Health Impacts of Air Pollution in the Context of Changing Climate in Africa: A Narrative Review with Recommendations for Action |
| title_full | The Health Impacts of Air Pollution in the Context of Changing Climate in Africa: A Narrative Review with Recommendations for Action |
| title_fullStr | The Health Impacts of Air Pollution in the Context of Changing Climate in Africa: A Narrative Review with Recommendations for Action |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Health Impacts of Air Pollution in the Context of Changing Climate in Africa: A Narrative Review with Recommendations for Action |
| title_short | The Health Impacts of Air Pollution in the Context of Changing Climate in Africa: A Narrative Review with Recommendations for Action |
| title_sort | health impacts of air pollution in the context of changing climate in africa a narrative review with recommendations for action |
| topic | adaptation air pollution fossil fuel burning energy environmental health vulnerability particulate matter pm2.5 |
| url | https://account.annalsofglobalhealth.org/index.php/up-j-agh/article/view/4527 |
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