More air pollution monitoring and research across Africa is urgently needed to avoid cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) overtaking infectious diseases as the leading cause of death on the continent according to a new report.<\/p>\n
Experts from the Universities of Edinburgh and Essex, working in collaboration with the World Heart Federation, warn that a lack of monitoring and research is preventing evidence-based policies and interventions, tailored to African communities, that could save lives.<\/p>\n
The paper<\/a>, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances, was led by Professor Mariachiara Di Cesare and Marvellous Adeoye from the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing<\/a> at the University of Essex and Dr Mark Miller from the University of Edinburgh.<\/p>\n
The study comes on the back of the WHF\u2019s 2024 global report<\/a>, published in May, which highlighted that only 30 per cent of countries in Africa are legally required to monitor air quality and only 18 per cent are obliged to report on their findings.<\/p>\n
The publication is especially timely as world leaders meet for COP29 in Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n
Dr Miller, who is Chair of Air Pollution and Climate Change Expert Group at the WHF, said:<\/p>\n
The report was funded by the Clean Air Fund.<\/p>\n
Read the report:\u00a0The Impact of Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Health Outcomes in African Populations: A Scoping Review<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Notes to editors<\/strong><\/p>\n
For further information, please contact:<\/p>\n
University of Essex Communications office, email: comms@essex.ac.uk<\/a> or telephone: +44 (0)1206 872400<\/p>\n