Air pollution grave threat to children's health, Azerbaijan's health minister says

Air pollution has emerged as one of the most significant threats to human health, causing a wide range of ailments, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders, strokes, lung cancer, and diabetes, Azerbaijan's Minister of Health said at an event within COP29 in Baku.

According to Report, he said that its impact on children is particularly alarming.

Musayev said a staggering 93% of children worldwide, amounting to 1.8 billion individuals under the age of 15, are exposed to polluted air on a daily basis. This exposure has severe consequences for their health, especially during critical stages of growth and development. The detrimental effects of air pollution are most devastating for infant lungs, which are still in the process of maturing.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Azerbaijani government has prioritized the reduction of harmful environmental pollution and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, conducts regular air quality monitoring across the country, Musayev said.

He noted that under a cooperation agreement, experts from both ministries are studying the impact of air pollutants on mortality rates. The results of a five-year monitoring period will be presented in a special report, compiled using WHO software, which allows for the assessment of the impact of major pollutants on public health, Musayev explained.

In addition to monitoring efforts, Azerbaijan has implemented educational programs to raise public awareness about the consequences of air pollution. However, Musayev noted that the level of awareness among healthcare professionals regarding the impact of climate change and environmental pollution remains low.

To address this issue, the Azerbaijan Medical University has introduced a course titled "Climate Change and Health." Furthermore, with the support of UNICEF, training sessions are being conducted for medical workers, focusing on the environmental factors affecting children's health.