Believe it or not, nearly one in four deaths is related to the consequences of living in an unhealthy environment. However, the World Health Organization study believes that this is avoidable.
The study, which is a first major assessment of environmental risk since 2006, suggests that environmental risks are one of the factors that contribute to at least 100 of the world's most dangerous diseases and is claiming 12.6 million people a year.
The study further states that 8.2m deaths are due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancers, strokes, and heart illnesses. Strokes (2.5m a year), heart disease (2.3m), and unintentional injuries (1.7m) are the top causes of death. Meanwhile, cancers that are linked to the environment claim 1.7 million people, while respiratory diseases and diarrheal diseases kill 1.4 million and 846,000, respectively.
The number of deaths related to or caused by infectious diseases such as diarrhoea and malaria have dropped since 2006. On the other hand, NCD deaths linked to climate change, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and exposure to synthetic chemicals have increased.
"A healthy environment underpins a healthy population," says Margaret Chan, WHO director general. "If countries do not take actions to make environments where people live and work healthy, millions will continue to become ill and die too young."
"Decreases in air quality have been observed in many low- and middle-income cities around the world in recent years. Increased exposure to air pollution will mainly increase NCDs, but also respiratory infections in children under five years," The Guardian quotes.
The places most affected by environment-related diseases, according to Business Insider, include South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions. 7.3 million people died in these regions due to air pollution related diseases.
Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director for the Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, said that countries are in high need invest in strategies to make environments more healthy. Furthermore, this investment has to be done ASAP.
"Such investments can significantly reduce the rising worldwide burden of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, injuries, and cancers, and lead to immediate savings in healthcare costs," Neira said.
