Showing posts with label pollution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pollution. Show all posts
World Lung Day | Think twice, it is not another day in paradise: Air is deadlier than we thought it is!
Government needs to hold big polluters liable for air pollution, preventable diseases, and untimely deaths
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| published in The Indian Express, 1 January 2020 |
16.7 lakh people died in India in 2019 because of air pollution accounting for 17·8% of the total deaths in the country (source: The Lancet Planetary Health). Air pollution was the 4th leading risk factor for premature death globally, accounting for nearly 12% of all deaths, with more than 6.67 million in 2019 alone, shows the State of Global Air Report 2020. Each of these deaths could have been averted – and every disease caused by air pollution could have been prevented.
Air pollution and asthma: Sankar shares his personal testimony calling for greater action
This Podcast features a conversation with A Sankar from Empower India in Tuticorin (Thoothukudi) in Tamil Nadu state of India who shares his personal experience with #asthma triggered due to #airPollution. He gave a plenary talk at the 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Hyderabad, India.
Air pollution is an invisible killer: Denial will cost lives!
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| Source: WHO Air Pollution monitor |
Climate change, unplanned urbanization and air pollution can fail us in beating NCDs
Shobha Shukla, CNS (Citizen News Service)
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mostly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and lung diseases, account for over two-thirds of world's deaths each year. "Of these, the lung diseases are the least recognized" said Dr Dean Schraufnagel, Executive Director, Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), who was among the key experts at the 2nd Global NCD Alliance Forum in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
We cannot run away from cancer, we have to fight it
Alice Sagwidza-Tembe, CNS Correspondent, Swaziland
On September 25th 2015, countries adopted a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all, as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. For the goals to be reached, everyone needs to do their part: governments, the private sector, civil society and ordinary people.
Raising awareness to reduce asthma burden
Catherine Mwauyakufa, CNS Correspondent, Zimbabwe
(First published at The Minica Post)
Since 1998 the world has recognised May 3 as World Asthma Day and this has helped in raising awareness. Asthma is not curable but through proper medication and appropriate management the disease burden can be reduced. The causes of asthma are not wholly understood but include a mix of genetic predisposition and exposure to triggers.
(First published at The Minica Post)
Since 1998 the world has recognised May 3 as World Asthma Day and this has helped in raising awareness. Asthma is not curable but through proper medication and appropriate management the disease burden can be reduced. The causes of asthma are not wholly understood but include a mix of genetic predisposition and exposure to triggers.
Psychological effects of Asthma
Dr Richa Sharma, CNS Correspondent, India
When asked to describe her asthma, Rushali (name changed) says, “It is like a bubble that envelopes me and does not let me breathe. I am always so scared of getting an attack, it makes me very sad.” Asthma, a chronic disease of the airway characterized by heightened response of the trachio-bronchial tree to irritants is often considered a nightmare for the people living with this condition. It is marked by frequent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing.
When asked to describe her asthma, Rushali (name changed) says, “It is like a bubble that envelopes me and does not let me breathe. I am always so scared of getting an attack, it makes me very sad.” Asthma, a chronic disease of the airway characterized by heightened response of the trachio-bronchial tree to irritants is often considered a nightmare for the people living with this condition. It is marked by frequent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing.
A holistic approach is needed to tackle India’s asthma burden
Urvashi Prasad, CNS Correspondent, India
It is estimated that India has around 30 million people living with asthma. Approximately 25% of the Indian population is suffering from allergy and 5% are living with asthma. As highlighted by Dr Jeremiah Chakaya Muhwa, Member, Board of Directors, International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union) during a recent webinar organised by CNS and The Union, asthma is often not taken seriously. He went on to add that the condition is frequently either not diagnosed
or not treated even when diagnosed, resulting in several social,
economic, psychological and physical problems.
It is estimated that India has around 30 million people living with asthma. Approximately 25% of the Indian population is suffering from allergy and 5% are living with asthma. As highlighted by Dr Jeremiah Chakaya Muhwa, Member, Board of Directors, International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union) during a recent webinar organised by CNS and The Union, asthma is often not taken seriously. He went on to add that the condition is frequently either not diagnosed
or not treated even when diagnosed, resulting in several social,
economic, psychological and physical problems.
You can control Asthma
Alice Tembe, CNS Correspondent, Swaziland
While many non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are associated with stigma, discrimination and fear it has notably been of interest that people living with asthma actually get cool nicknames associated with this disease. A chat with Joseph Jele (name changed), a 49 year old male telephone technician, revealed that from his teenage years he has been nick-named ‘Wizzy Joe’, due to the wheezing fits he used to get when playing with other young boys. This is an identity he has carried with him through adulthood and, as he jokingly noted, will carry it to his grave.
While many non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are associated with stigma, discrimination and fear it has notably been of interest that people living with asthma actually get cool nicknames associated with this disease. A chat with Joseph Jele (name changed), a 49 year old male telephone technician, revealed that from his teenage years he has been nick-named ‘Wizzy Joe’, due to the wheezing fits he used to get when playing with other young boys. This is an identity he has carried with him through adulthood and, as he jokingly noted, will carry it to his grave.
Addressing asthma is a big challenge
Pritha Roy Choudhury, CNS Correspondent, India
This is the fourth day this week that Ashmi has been absent from school. A student of Class 4, Ashmi has been performing very well and has been an academic achiever for the third consecutive year. Mrs Hemvat, her class teacher is really worried— “She is not only a bright student but also is a very active child who takes part in most of the activities. But this year she has been absent most of the days.” Ashmi has been suffering from breathing problems for the past two years, but the problem has increased this year.
This is the fourth day this week that Ashmi has been absent from school. A student of Class 4, Ashmi has been performing very well and has been an academic achiever for the third consecutive year. Mrs Hemvat, her class teacher is really worried— “She is not only a bright student but also is a very active child who takes part in most of the activities. But this year she has been absent most of the days.” Ashmi has been suffering from breathing problems for the past two years, but the problem has increased this year.
How to prevent premature deaths from asthma?
Francis Okoye, CNS Correspondent, Nigeria
(First published in Nigeria Politics Magazine)
In a webinar organised for media by Citizen News Service (CNS), in lead up to this year’s world Asthma Day on May 3, 2016, it was revealed that about 2.4 million premature deaths from Asthma can be prevented, if certain doable actions are put in place. This premature death prevention would also result in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
(First published in Nigeria Politics Magazine)
In a webinar organised for media by Citizen News Service (CNS), in lead up to this year’s world Asthma Day on May 3, 2016, it was revealed that about 2.4 million premature deaths from Asthma can be prevented, if certain doable actions are put in place. This premature death prevention would also result in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
Asthma: A manageable burden
Josephine Chinele, CNS Correspondent, Malawi
Every day, Talimba (name changed), cooks using firewood which produces lots of smoke. She does not have any affordable alternative source of energy. 20 year old Talimba dropped out of school to take up the responsibility of looking after her household, including her siblings, after the death of their parents. “I live in the rural area where there is no electricity at all. I even
use paraffin lamp for lighting at night. That’s what we can afford,”
says Talimba.
Every day, Talimba (name changed), cooks using firewood which produces lots of smoke. She does not have any affordable alternative source of energy. 20 year old Talimba dropped out of school to take up the responsibility of looking after her household, including her siblings, after the death of their parents. “I live in the rural area where there is no electricity at all. I even
use paraffin lamp for lighting at night. That’s what we can afford,”
says Talimba.
Do not ignore your asthma
Tuyeimo Haidula, CNS Correspondent, Namibia
Despite the fact that asthma affects over 300 million people globally, very little attention is given to this chronic and persistent disease. Speaking during a webinar organized by Citizen News Service and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Jeremiah Chakaya, of Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) lamented that asthma is under diagnosed all over the world, and not just in poor countries, and when it is diagnosed it is under treated.
Despite the fact that asthma affects over 300 million people globally, very little attention is given to this chronic and persistent disease. Speaking during a webinar organized by Citizen News Service and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Jeremiah Chakaya, of Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) lamented that asthma is under diagnosed all over the world, and not just in poor countries, and when it is diagnosed it is under treated.
Call to kick polluters out of climate talks
[हिंदी] Activists have appealed to Indian government to take urgent and meaningful action on climate change next week in Germany. The action is part of a global day of action in several countries calling for a more just and sustainable energy system and for policymakers to end the undue influence and obstruction of climate policy by transnational fossil fuel corporations. "Every day we feel the effects of climate change - a crisis we did little to create. Today, the people of India are saying 'enough is enough!' " said Dr Sandeep Pandey, Magsaysay Awardee and Vice President of Socialist Party (India).
Turning tables: Growing support against corporate capture of climate policy-making
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