Air pollution has an alarming effect on global health. In 2019, it was responsible for 4.2 million global deaths. Inhaling air pollution harms health in many different ways beyond simply having effects on the lungs. Over 70% of air pollution deaths are due to cardiovascular diseases – diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as heart attacks and strokes.
For many years, cardiovascular diseases were considered to be more of a problem of more prosperous countries, but this is not the case anymore.
In Africa cardiovascular diseases are now the second leading cause of death after respiratory infections and tuberculosis. The numbers of cardiovascular deaths are much higher in low-income countries where access to diagnosis and treatment is limited by resources available. But where does air pollution fit in?
