Poor living kills 2.6m Indians a year
idfi...@gmail.com
India, China Contribute 38% Of Global Deaths Due To Environmental
Problems: WHO
Over 2.6 million people die each year in India due to poor
environmental and sanitary conditions.
India and China together account for five million deaths - 38% of
the global figure - due to environmental health problems. Globally,
the annual toll due to ill health caused by a person's surroundings or
social conditions - poor sanitary conditions, consumption of unsafe
drinking water, air pollution, inadequate vector control and unhealthy
lifestyles - is 13 million.
In India, an average of 68 years of ill health per 1,000
inhabitants are caused by environmental health issues compared to 54
in Russia, 37 in Brazil and 34 in China. These are the findings of
WHO's first country-by-country analysis of the impact of environmental
factors on health. The report, made public on Wednesday, said more
than one-third of the disease burden in several countries, including
India, could be prevented through improvements like better air quality
and providing safe drinking water.
After analysing data available with national health authorities and
reviewing scientific literature and expert surveys, WHO said low
income countries suffered the most from environmental health factors,
losing about 20 times more healthy years of life per person per year
than high income countries.
Almost 14 years of productive life is lost every 1,000 people in
India due to diarrhoea alone while indoor air pollution reduces 10
productive years per 1,000 people annually. In India every year, lack
of water, sanitation and hygiene claims over 4 lakh lives while
polluted air kills over 5.2 lakh people. India's lung cancer rating
was 0.3 compared to 2.5 in the worst-ranked countries. Other cancers
occurred in India at a rate of 1.2 compared to 4.1 in the worst-rated
nations. The country's cardiovascular rating was 4.5 compared to 13 in
worst affected countries while the rate of road traffic injuries stood
at 2.5.
Dr Sattar Yoosuf, director of WHO South-East Asia's department of
sustainable development and healthy environments, said, "Nearly 25% of
India's total disease burden can be attributed to environmental
reasons. Polluted air and water reduces a person's immunity level,
exposing him to viruses and setting off the cycle of disease. Simple
steps like improving water and air quality and changing hygiene
behaviour in people can save 2.6 million lives every year."
HEALTH FACTS :-
In India, an average of 68 years of ill health per 1,000 inhabitants
are caused by environmental health issues compared to 54 in Russia, 37
in Brazil and 34 in China
Lack of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in India claims over
4 lakh lives annually while polluted air kills 5.2 lakh people
More than one-third of the disease burden in several countries,
including India, could be prevented through improvements like better
air quality and safe drinking water, finds WHO.
courtesy : The Times of India, 15-06-07