Health professionals express their concern about poor air quality

The effects of air pollution on human health are causing concern among health professionals. For this reason, several institutions have launched a campaign to collect support for a document warning of these effects and calling for political measures to improve air quality. The initiative is promoted by the Barcelona Medical Association, the Catalan Society of Paediatrics, ISGlobal's Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health programme and the groups Revolta Escolar and Eixample Respira.

The document was unveiled at a press conference held in Barcelona on 28 November 2024 with the participation of ISGlobal researcher Mónica Ubalde. Institutions and individuals who wish to sign up to this manifesto can do so by filling in the following form.

The manifesto recalls that the estimated premature deaths related to air pollution exceed 8 million worldwide, being the second cause of death after hypertension. More than 700,000 of these deaths would occur in children under 5 years of age.

‘In the same way that a few years ago, in the light of scientific evidence, decisive action was taken against tobacco consumption, restricting places where smoking was allowed and promoting healthy lifestyles, it is now crucial to implement strict and ambitious policies, with a public health vision, to reduce the levels of atmospheric pollutants produced mainly by the use of fossil fuels,’ the document states.

Briefly, the document outlines the main health consequences of exposure to air pollution, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, various types of cancer, problems in child development and mental health, as well as dementia.

‘Air pollution is not only a public health issue, but also a social justice issue,’ they say, noting that it is ’the most vulnerable and poorest communities that often suffer the most from the negative impacts of pollution.

Co-benefits

‘An improvement in air quality linked to changes in urban and transport planning’, the document continues, “would also imply an improvement in other factors that aggravate health risks, such as exposure to excessive levels of noise or heat or the lack of green, naturalised and pacified spaces that favour social interaction, street play and physical activity”.

Call for political action

For all these reasons, the people and groups signing the text urge ‘all sectors of society and, in particular, those responsible for designing and implementing public policies’ to ‘improve air quality with effective and immediate measures’.

More information

Letter/statement

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