A new report from the Health Effects Institute (HEI) has revealed a stark reality: nearly 30% of newborn deaths in East Africa are linked to air pollution. This alarming finding is attributed to the widespread use of solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, and coal for cooking, heating, and lighting practices that release harmful pollutants into the air.
In 2021 alone, the report estimates that more than 76,000 newborns in the region died from prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Household air pollution is responsible for over 90% of these deaths, underscoring the lethal impact of indoor air quality on newborn health.
While East Africa continues to grapple with infectious diseases like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, air pollution has emerged as a growing health crisis. In fact, in 2021, 31% of deaths from noncommunicable diseases in the region were attributed to polluted air. This “double burden of disease” combining infectious and chronic illnesses places immense strain on already fragile healthcare systems and hampers socio-economic development.
The health impacts of air pollution go beyond newborn mortality. It contributes to a range of conditions including childhood pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular diseases, and even lung cancer. Long-term exposure to polluted air has also been linked to reduced lung function, impaired cognitive development in children, and neurodegenerative diseases in adults, including Alzheimer’s.
For pregnant women, air pollution increases the risk of hypertensive disorders, stillbirths, and preterm delivery, with these risks being most pronounced in areas with limited access to clean energy and healthcare.
The HEI report calls for urgent action to address this public health crisis. It stresses the need for more research on the long-term effects of air pollution and advocates for policies that promote clean cooking, sustainable energy, and better air quality monitoring. Such measures could save thousands of newborn lives and protect the health of millions across the region. Air pollution is not just an environmental issue it is a pressing public health emergency.
