Unhealthy Years Attributable to Air Particulate Matter in European and Asia-Pacific Countries

Pattheera (Paire) Somboonsin , School of Demography, Australian National University
Vladimir Canudas-Romo, Australian National University

Air quality concerns are intensifying globally, impacting human health and longevity. While Europe has achieved progress in reducing mortality from air pollution, many countries in Asia-Pacific (APAC) region are still experiencing increases in mortality due to air pollution. This study quantifies and compares the burden of unhealthy years (UY) resulting from ambient particulate matter (APM) and household air pollution from solid fuels (HAP) between European and APAC countries, highlighting gender and age disparities. We find that females for all countries in both regions experienced higher UY burden due to HAP than their male counterparts. The UY burden in APAC exceeds that in Europe. Specifically, Pacific islands were affected by HAP, while West Asia faces APM challenges. Southern Europe had more UY from both pollutants. From 1990 to 2019, UY from HAP decreased in both regions. Conversely, UY from APM had risen in APAC and parts of Southern Europe, predominantly affecting adults and the elderly. Moreover, the APAC showed a more significant decline in HAP-related UY but an increase in APM-related UY compared to Europe. Considering age and gender differences is crucial for targeted environmental health policies and interventions. Efforts should prioritise countries with high levels of UY and address specific vulnerabilities and health risks faced by different population groups.

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 Presented in Session P92. Climate Change, Morbidity and Mortality