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Sannoh F, Fatmi Z, Carpenter DO, Santoso M, Siddique A, Khan K, Zeb J, Hussain MM, Khwaja HA. Air pollution we breathe: Assessing the air quality and human health impact in a megacity of Southeast Asia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 942:173403. [PMID: 38844217 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
With 24 million inhabitants and 6.6 million vehicles on the roads, Karachi, Pakistan ranks among the world's most polluted cities due to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This study aims to investigate PM2.5 mass, seasonal and temporal variability, chemical characterization, source apportionment, and health risk assessment at two urban sites in Karachi. Samples were analyzed using ion chromatography and dual-wavelength optical transmissometer for various inorganic components (anions, cations, and trace elements) and black carbon (BC). Several PM2.5 pollution episodes were frequently observed, with annual mean concentrations at Kemari (140 ± 179 μg/m3) and Malir (95 ± 40.9 μg/m3) being significantly above the World Health Organization's guidelines of 5 μg/m3. Chemical composition at both sites exhibited seasonal variability, with higher pollution levels in winter and fall and lower concentrations in summer. The annual average BC concentrations were 4.86 ± 5.29 μg/m3 and 4.52 ± 3.68 μg/m3, respectively. A Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis identified 5 factors, crustal, sea salt, vehicular exhaust, fossil-fuel combustion, and industrial emission. The health risk assessment indicated a higher number of deaths in colder seasons (fall and winter) at the Kemari (328,794 and 287,814) and Malir (228,406 and 165,737) sites and potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks to children from metals. The non-carcinogenic risk of PM2.5 bound Pb, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cu and Ni via inhalation exposure were within the acceptable level (<1) for adults. However, potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk posed by Pb and Cr through inhalation were observed for children. The findings exhibit critical levels of air pollution that exceed the safe limits in Karachi, posing significant health risks to children and sensitive groups. Our study underscores the urgent need for effective emission control strategies and policy interventions to mitigate these air pollution risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatim Sannoh
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, United States; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Zafar Fatmi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - David O Carpenter
- Institute for the Health and the Environment, University at Albany, Albany, NY, United States
| | | | - Azhar Siddique
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kamran Khan
- Chemistry Department, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Jahan Zeb
- Department of Environmental and Health Research, The Custodian of the Holy Two Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umra Research, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mirza M Hussain
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, United States; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Haider A Khwaja
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, United States; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY, United States.
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Bhugra D, Liebrenz M, Ventriglio A, Ng R, Javed A, Kar A, Chumakov E, Moura H, Tolentino E, Gupta S, Ruiz R, Okasha T, Chisolm MS, Castaldelli-Maia J, Torales J, Smith A. World Psychiatric Association-Asian Journal of Psychiatry Commission on Public Mental Health. Asian J Psychiatr 2024; 98:104105. [PMID: 38861790 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Although there is considerable evidence showing that the prevention of mental illnesses and adverse outcomes and mental health promotion can help people lead better and more functional lives, public mental health remains overlooked in the broader contexts of psychiatry and public health. Likewise, in undergraduate and postgraduate medical curricula, prevention and mental health promotion have often been ignored. However, there has been a recent increase in interest in public mental health, including an emphasis on the prevention of psychiatric disorders and improving individual and community wellbeing to support life trajectories, from childhood through to adulthood and into older age. These lifespan approaches have significant potential to reduce the onset of mental illnesses and the related burdens for the individual and communities, as well as mitigating social, economic, and political costs. Informed by principles of social justice and respect for human rights, this may be especially important for addressing salient problems in communities with distinct vulnerabilities, where prominent disadvantages and barriers for care delivery exist. Therefore, this Commission aims to address these topics, providing a narrative overview of relevant literature and suggesting ways forward. Additionally, proposals for improving mental health and preventing mental illnesses and adverse outcomes are presented, particularly amongst at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Bhugra
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences, Kings College, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
| | - Michael Liebrenz
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Roger Ng
- World Psychiatric Association, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Anindya Kar
- Advanced Neuropsychiatry Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Egor Chumakov
- Department of Psychiatry & Addiction, St Petersburg State University, St Petersburg, Russia
| | | | | | - Susham Gupta
- East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roxanna Ruiz
- University of Francisco Moaroquin, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | | | | | | | | | - Alexander Smith
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Kundu SK, Farhana Z, Kamil AA, Rahman MM. Urgent Call to Ensure Clean Air in South Asia - A Growing But Neglected Public Health Emergency. Int J Public Health 2024; 69:1607461. [PMID: 38873556 PMCID: PMC11169061 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1607461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shuvojit Kumar Kundu
- Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Zaki Farhana
- Credit Information Bureau, Bangladesh Bank, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Mohammad Meshbahur Rahman
- Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Azimi MN, Rahman MM. Unveiling the health consequences of air pollution in the world's most polluted nations. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9856. [PMID: 38684837 PMCID: PMC11058277 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60786-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Air pollution poses a persuasive threat to global health, demonstrating widespread detrimental effects on populations worldwide. Exposure to pollutants, notably particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm (PM2.5), has been unequivocally linked to a spectrum of adverse health outcomes. A nuanced understanding of the relationship between them is crucial for implementing effective policies. This study employs a comprehensive investigation, utilizing the extended health production function framework alongside the system generalized method of moments (SGMM) technique, to scrutinize the interplay between air pollution and health outcomes. Focusing on a panel of the top twenty polluted nations from 2000 to 2021, the findings yield substantial insights. Notably, PM2.5 concentration emerges as a significant factor, correlating with a reduction in life expectancy by 3.69 years and an increase in infant mortality rates by 0.294%. Urbanization is found to increase life expectancy by 0.083 years while concurrently decreasing infant mortality rates by 0.00022%. An increase in real per capita gross domestic product corresponds with an improvement in life expectancy by 0.21 years and a decrease in infant mortality rates by 0.00065%. Similarly, an elevated school enrollment rate is associated with a rise in life expectancy by 0.17 years and a decline in infant mortality rates by 0.00032%. However, a higher population growth rate is found to modestly decrease life expectancy by 0.019 years and slightly elevate infant mortality rates by 0.000016%. The analysis reveals that per capita greenhouse gas emissions exert a negative impact, diminishing life expectancy by 0.486 years and elevating infant mortality rates by 0.00061%, while per capita energy consumption marginally reduces life expectancy by 0.026 years and increases infant mortality rates by 0.00004%. Additionally, economic volatility shock presents a notable decrement in life expectancy by 0.041 years and an increase in infant mortality rates by 0.000045%, with inflationary shock further exacerbating adverse health outcomes by lowering life expectancy by 0.70 years and elevating infant mortality rates by 0.00025%. Moreover, the study scrutinizes the role of institutional quality, revealing a constructive impact on health outcomes. Specifically, the institutional quality index is associated with an increase in life expectancy by 0.66% and a decrease in infant mortality rates by 0.0006%. Extending the analysis to examine the nuanced dimensions of institutional quality, the findings discern that economic institutions wield a notably stronger positive influence on health outcomes compared to political and institutional governance indices. Finally, the results underscore the pivotal moderating role of institutional quality in mitigating the deleterious impact of PM2.5 concentration on health outcomes, counterbalancing the influence of external shocks, and improving the relationships between explanatory variables and health outcome indicators. These findings offer critical insights for guiding evidence-based policy implications, with a focus on fostering resilient, sustainable, and health-conscious societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Naim Azimi
- School of Business, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia.
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Li P, Wu J, Ni X, Tong M, Lu H, Liu H, Xue T, Zhu T. Associations between hemoglobin levels and source-specific exposure to ambient fine particles among children aged <5 years in low- and middle-income countries. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132061. [PMID: 37467606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated associations between source-specific fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and hemoglobin levels among children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHOD 36,675 children aged < 5 years were collected in 11 LMICs during 2017. We associated child hemoglobin with 20 source-specific PM2.5, and calculated changes in hemoglobin that could be attributed to different PM2.5-mixture scenarios, established using real-world data from 88 Asian and African LMICs (AA-LMICs). RESULTS Multiple-source analysis revealed PM2.5 produced by solvents (change in hemoglobin for 1-μg/m3 increment in PM2.5: -10.34 g/L, 95% CI -14.88 to -5.91), industrial coal combustion (-0.51 g/L, 95% CI -9.25 to -0.08), road transportation (-0.50 g/L, 95% CI -6.96 to -0.29), or waste handling and disposal (-0.34 g/L, 95% CI -4.38 to -0.23) was significantly associated with a decrease in hemoglobin level. Decreases in hemoglobin attributable to the PM2.5 mixtures were co-determined by the concentrations and their source profiles. The largest PM2.5-related change in hemoglobin was -10.25 g/L (95% CI -15.54 to -5.27) for a mean exposure of 61.01 μg/m3 in India. CONCLUSION Association between PM2.5 and a decrease in hemoglobin was affected by variations in PM2.5 source profiles. Source-oriented interventions are warranted to protect children in LMICs from air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health / National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics / Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (PKU), School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China; Advanced Institute of Information Technology, Peking University, Hangzhou 311215, China; National Institute of Health Data Science, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jingyi Wu
- Advanced Institute of Information Technology, Peking University, Hangzhou 311215, China
| | - Xueqiu Ni
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health / National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics / Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (PKU), School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Mingkun Tong
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health / National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics / Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (PKU), School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Lu
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health / National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics / Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (PKU), School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Hengyi Liu
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health / National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics / Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (PKU), School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Xue
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health / National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics / Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (PKU), School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China; Advanced Institute of Information Technology, Peking University, Hangzhou 311215, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Exposure and Health Risk Management and Center for Environment and Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Tong Zhu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Exposure and Health Risk Management and Center for Environment and Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100084, China
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Shiferaw AB, Kumie A, Tefera W. Fine particulate matter air pollution and the mortality of children under five: a multilevel analysis of the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey of 2016. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1090405. [PMID: 37325299 PMCID: PMC10267360 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1090405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Every year, polluted air is costing the globe 543,000 deaths of children under five. The particulate matter below 2.5 μm diameter (PM2.5) is a part of air pollution that has adverse effects on children's health. In Ethiopia, the effect of ambient PM2.5 is least explored. This study aimed to assess the association between PM2.5 and under-five mortality in Ethiopia. Methods The study used the data from the Ethiopian Demographic Health Surveys conducted in 2016, collected between January 18 and June 27. All children under five who had data on child mortality and location coordinates were included in the study. Exposure to ambient PM2.5 concentration was a satellite-based estimate by the Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group at Washington and Dalhousie University, in the United States and Canada, respectively. Annual mean pollution levels and mortality datasets were matched by children's geographical location and dates of birth, death, and interview. The relationship between ambient PM2.5 and under-five mortality was determined by a multilevel multivariable logistic regression on R software. The statistical analyses were two-sided at a 95% confidence interval. Results The study addressed 10,452 children with the proportion of under-five mortality being 5.4% (95% CI 5.0-6.8%). The estimated lifetime annual mean exposure of ambient total PM2.5 was 20.1 ± 3.3 μgm-3. A 10-unit increase in the lifetime annual mean ambient total PM2.5 was associated with 2.29 [95% CI 1.44, 3.65] times more odds of under-five mortality after adjusting for other variables. Conclusion Children under five are exposed to higher levels of ambient PM2.5 concentration, exceeding the limit set by the World Health Organization. Ambient PM2.5 is significantly associated with under-five mortality, adjusting for other variables. Strong measures need to be taken to reduce air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashenafie Bereded Shiferaw
- Department of Social and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Abera Kumie
- Department of Environmental and Behavioral Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Worku Tefera
- Department of Environmental and Behavioral Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Li P, Wu J, Wang R, Liu H, Zhu T, Xue T. Source sectors underlying PM 2.5-related deaths among children under 5 years of age in 17 low- and middle-income countries. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 172:107756. [PMID: 36669285 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from different source sectors might differ in toxicity. However, data from large-scale studies on vulnerable children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are insufficient. OBJECTIVE To analyze the association of under-five death (U5D) with long-term exposure to PM2.5 from different sources. METHOD We evaluated demographic and health survey data for 79,995 babies born in 2017 in 16 Asian and African LMICs (AA-LMICs) and a Latin America low-income country (i.e., Haiti). Long-term exposure to PM2.5 was assessed by a well-established product that attributed the annual concentration to 20 source sectors in 2017. The associations of survival during < 5-year periods with each source-specific concentration of PM2.5 were analyzed by Cox regression with multiple adjustments. We derived a multiple-pollutant ridge regression model to estimate the joint exposure-response function (JERF) between U5D and PM2.5 mixtures. To evaluate how sources affected PM2.5 toxicity, we evaluated the number of U5Ds attributable to PM2.5 based on the source profiles for 88 AA-LMICs. RESULTS According to the single-pollutant model, the risk of U5D increased by 7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5%, 9%) for each 10 μg/m3 increment in total PM2.5 concentration. The model performance was lower than that of the multiple-pollutant ridge regression model. For each 10 μg/m3 increment in PM2.5, the excess risk of U5D ranged from 6% (95% CI: 4%, 9%) in Nepal to 10% (95% CI: 6%, 14%) in Mauritania. Based on the JERF, PM2.5 contributed to 817,647 (95% CI: 585,729, 1,050,439), i.e., 28.0% (95% CI: 20.1%, 35.8%), of all U5Ds across the 88 AA-LMICs. The PM2.5-related U5Ds were mostly attributable to PM2.5 produced by desert dust, followed by solid biofuel combustion and open fires. CONCLUSION The average toxicity of PM2.5 varied by source profile, which should be taken into consideration when planning public health interventions. For some AA LMICs, natural sources of PM2.5 had the most significant health effects, and should not be ignored to ensure the protection of child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health / National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing 100191, China; Advanced Institute of Information Technology, Peking University, Hangzhou 311215, China; National Institute of Health Data Science, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jingyi Wu
- Advanced Institute of Information Technology, Peking University, Hangzhou 311215, China.
| | - Ruohan Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health / National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Hengyi Liu
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health / National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Tong Zhu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100086, China; Center for Environment and Health, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Tao Xue
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health / National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing 100191, China; Center for Environment and Health, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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Anwar A, Hyder S, Mohamed Nor N, Younis M. Government health expenditures and health outcome nexus: a study on OECD countries. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1123759. [PMID: 37139401 PMCID: PMC10150110 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1123759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The consistent increase in health expenditures is an integral part of health policy. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of health expenditures on health outcomes in the OECD countries. Method We used the system generalized method of moments (GMM) for thirty eight OECD countries using panel data from 1996 to 2020. Results and discussion The findings show that health expenditures have a negative impact on infant mortality while positive on life expectancy. The results further verify that the income measured as GDP, number of doctors, and air pollution has a negative effect on infant mortality, while these variables have a positive effect on life expectancy in the studied countries. The outcome of the study suggests that health expenditures need to be properly utilized and improvements can be made in the health policies to increase the investment in health technology. The government should also focus on measures like economic and environmental to have long-lasting health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Anwar
- Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Attock, Pakistan
- *Correspondence: Asim Anwar
| | - Shabir Hyder
- Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Attock, Pakistan
| | - Norashidah Mohamed Nor
- School of Business and Economics, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mustafa Younis
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Health Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, United States
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Sultan H, Zhan J, Rashid W, Chu X, Bohnett E. Systematic Review of Multi-Dimensional Vulnerabilities in the Himalayas. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12177. [PMID: 36231508 PMCID: PMC9566038 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Himalayan region is a fragile high mountain landscape where the population experiences acute vulnerability within a complex coupled human-natural system due to environmental, social, and economic linkages. The lack of significant regional and spatial knowledge of multi-faceted vulnerabilities hinders any potential recommendations to address these vulnerabilities. We systematically reviewed the literature to recommend mitigation interventions based on the region's socio-economic and ecological vulnerability research to date. We applied the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) criteria to search for results from four comprehensive databases. For our assessment, we compiled a final sample (n = 59) of vulnerability research papers to examine the vulnerability types, spatial variation, assessment methodology, and significant drivers of change. Our study represented all Himalayan countries, namely, India, Nepal, Pakistan, China, and Bhutan. More than half of the vulnerability studies were conducted in the central Himalayan region, a quarter in the western Himalayas, and a few in the eastern Himalayas. Our review revealed that the primary drivers of change were climate change, land use/land cover, and glacial lake formation. The vulnerability assessments in the Himalayan region primarily used social science methods as compared to natural science methods. While the vulnerability studies seldom assessed mitigation interventions, our analysis identified fourteen recommendations. The recommended interventions mainly included policy interventions, livelihood improvement, and adaptation measures. This study emphasized that sustainable development requires cross-sectoral interventions to manage existing resources and mitigate the confronting vulnerabilities of the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hameeda Sultan
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jinyan Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wajid Rashid
- Department of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, University of Swat, Mingora Swat 19130, Pakistan
| | - Xi Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Eve Bohnett
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
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Anwar A, Hyder S, Bennett R, Younis M. Impact of Environmental Quality on Healthcare Expenditures in Developing Countries: A Panel Data Approach. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10091608. [PMID: 36141220 PMCID: PMC9498607 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10091608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The deterioration in environmental quality has an economic and social cost. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of environmental factors on health expenditures in developing countries. Method: To analyze the relationship between environmental quality (air pollution and temperature) and health expenditure in thirty-three developing countries, the study uses system generalized method of moments (GMM) using data from 2000 to 2017. Results: The results suggest a positive effect of both air pollution and temperature on health expenditure. However, the effect is highest for government health expenditure, followed by private and total health expenditure in the studied countries. The results further suggest that the impact of environmental factors is greater in higher-income countries when we divide the studied countries into two groups, i.e., higher- and lower-income countries. Conclusion: Our results are interesting and informative for the policy makers to design such policies to attain better environmental quality and social well-being. The increased healthcare expenditures due to increased air pollution and climate change necessitate for an efficient, reliable, affordable and modern energy policy by emphasizing the use of clean and renewable energy in these countries that ensure better health for the masses. Furthermore, a smart and sustainable environmentally friendly economic growth policy is necessary to ensure better health for the masses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Anwar
- Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad 43600, Pakistan
- Correspondence:
| | - Shabir Hyder
- Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad 43600, Pakistan
| | - Russell Bennett
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Health Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
| | - Mustafa Younis
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Health Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
- School of Business & Economics, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
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Alnwisi SMM, Chai C, Acharya BK, Qian AM, Zhang S, Zhang Z, Vaughn MG, Xian H, Wang Q, Lin H. Empirical dynamic modeling of the association between ambient PM 2.5 and under-five mortality across 2851 counties in Mainland China, 1999-2012. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 237:113513. [PMID: 35453020 PMCID: PMC9061697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution has been associated with mortality from various diseases, however, its association with under-five mortality rate (U5MR) has remained largely unknown. METHODS Based on the U5MR data across 2851 counties in Mainland China from 1999 to 2012, we employed approximate Bayesian latent Gaussian models to assess the association between ambient PM2.5 and U5MR at the county level for the whole nation and sub-regions. GDP growth rate, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), temperature, and night-time light were included as covariates using a smoothing function. We further implemented an empirical dynamic model (EDM) to explore the potential causal relationship between PM2.5 and U5MR. RESULTS We observed a declining trend in U5MR in most counties throughout the study period. Spatial heterogeneity in U5MR was observed. Nationwide analysis suggested that each 10 µg/m3 increase in annual concentration of PM2.5 was associated with an increase of 1.2 (95% CI: 1.0 - 1.3) per 1000 live births in U5MR. Regional analyses showed that the strongest positive association was located in the Northeastern part of China [1.8 (95% CI: 1.4 - 2.1)]. The EDM showed a significant causal association between PM2.5 and U5MR, with an embedding dimension of 5 and 7, and nonlinear values θ of 4 and 6, respectively. CONCLUSION China exhibited a downward trend in U5MR from 1999 to 2012, with spatial heterogeneity observed across the country. Our analysis reveals a positive association between PM2.5 and U5MR, which may support a causal relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameh M M Alnwisi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengwei Chai
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Bipin Kumar Acharya
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aaron M Qian
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences Saint Louis University, 3700 Lindell Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Shiyu Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zilong Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Michael G Vaughn
- School of Social Work, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Tegeler Hall, 3550 Lindell Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | - Hong Xian
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Qinzhou Wang
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Hualiang Lin
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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