Billions of people still breathe unhealthy air: new WHO data
Apr 4, 2022 · Almost the entire global population (99%) breathes air that exceeds WHO air quality limits, and threatens their health. A record number of over 6000 cities in 117 countries are now monitoring air quality, but the people living in them are still breathing unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, with people in low and middle-income countries …
Chronic respiratory diseases - World Health Organization (WHO)
Nov 15, 2023 · Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) affect the airways and other structures of the lungs. Some of the most common are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, occupational lung diseases and pulmonary hypertension. In addition to tobacco smoke, other risk factors include air pollution, occupational chemicals and dusts, and frequent ...
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Mar 16, 2023 · Overview. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease causing restricted airflow and breathing problems. It is sometimes called emphysema or chronic bronchitis. In people with COPD, the lungs can get damaged or clogged with phlegm. Symptoms include cough, sometimes with phlegm, difficulty breathing, wheezing and tiredness.
Cycling and walking can help reduce physical inactivity and air ...
Jun 7, 2022 · Cycling and walking can help fight overweight and reduce physical inactivity, which causes one million deaths per year in the European Region. Both means of active transport can also help to reduce air pollution that claims more than half a million deaths every year. Evidence shows that investments in policies that promote safe cycling and walking can play a crucial …
How air pollution is destroying our health - World Health …
Nov 1, 2018 · How air pollution affects our body. Particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less (≤ PM 10) can penetrate and lodge deep inside the lungs, causing irritation, inflammation and damaging the lining of the respiratory tract. Smaller, more health-damaging particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (≤ PM 2.5 – 60 of them make up the ...
The top 10 causes of death - World Health Organization (WHO)
Aug 7, 2024 · WHO act sheet on the 10 leading causes of death. In 2021, the top 10 causes of death accounted for 39 million deaths, or 57% of the total 68 million deaths worldwide. The top global causes of death, in order of total number of lives lost, are associated with two broad topics: cardiovascular (ischaemic heart disease, stroke) and respiratory (COVID-19, chronic …
Air pollution - World Health Organization (WHO)
Jul 29, 2024 · Air pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution. Pollutants of major public health concern include ...
Pneumonia in children - World Health Organization (WHO)
Nov 11, 2022 · Pneumonia is the single largest infectious cause of death in children worldwide. Pneumonia killed 740 180 children under the age of 5 in 2019, accounting for 14% of all deaths of children under 5 years old but 22% of all deaths in children aged 1 to 5 years. Pneumonia affects children and families everywhere, but deaths are highest in southern ...
Asthma - World Health Organization (WHO)
May 6, 2024 · Inflammation and narrowing of the small airways in the lungs cause asthma symptoms, which can be any combination of cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Asthma affected an estimated 262 million people in 2019 (1) and caused 455 000 deaths. Inhaled medication can control asthma symptoms and allow people with asthma to …
Countries forging pandemic agreement, breathing life into a …
May 22, 2024 · Countries forging pandemic agreement, breathing life into a polarized world. 22 May 2024. For more than two years, countries of the world have worked together towards one historic and generational goal – to ensure we are better prepared for the next pandemic through learning the lessons from the devastation caused by COVID-19.